More parkades eyed as Saskatoon unveils downtown parking plan

If there's one thingpeople love to complain about in Saskatoon, it'sthe lack of downtown parking.

Now, a new strategy being developed by the city hopes to address some of the concerns and more parkades could be part of it.Thepublic is being invitedto see a final draft of the plan todayat TCU Place.

The open house for the draft downtown parking strategy runs from4-7 p.m. CST.

"There actually is not a supply issue," thecity's director of planning and developmentAlan Wallace told Saskatoon Morning.

"There's over 21,000 spaces in the city's downtown and Riversdale and Broadway areas. It comes down to a management issue."

Various strategies to be suggested

So what are people going to see in the final draft? Wallace went over some of the specific issues this morning with Saskatoon Morning hostLeisha Grebinski.

"Many off-street parking spots are reserved 24-seven, whether they're being used or not. That means that over half of the parking supply is not available to the general public. So that's a problem we have to address."

Wallace also noted the city only controls 21 per cent of the on- and off-street parking inventory. What's typical of most cities is 50to 60per cent. He would like the city to manage more of the inventory in the city centre.

More parkades apossibility?

Another idea Wallace is excited about involves looking up for answers.

Moreparkadesmight be in the offing.

"If we truly want to see our downtown develop, we're going to have to put our cars up. Not out. We're occupying a lot of very expensive land for a single layer of surface parking, so structured parking will be a big part of the strategy going forward."