City of Kamloops considers pay parking in Tranquille business area

“Before we put [in] the parking meters, we need to clean up the sidewalk, the streets of the North Shore… Beautify it, then eventually put in the meters,” Manshadi said.

But according to Jeremy Heighton with the North Shore Business Improvement Association, money collected from parking fees could be put towards beautification in the area.

Heighton also said parking meters could increase safety in the area.

“When we start looking at paid parking, we start looking at Community Service officers on the corridor to manage the paid parking, which means more boots on the ground, more eyes on the ground for social issues,” he said.

Another issue raised by businesses was that pay parking would discourage customers from stopping by. But the City says charging for spots will actually make finding a spot easier.

“There’s some businesses right now that aren’t having spaces available for their customers to come in and drop something off or pick something up quickly. There’s other businesses, in the success that they’re having — and I’m so grateful they’re doing so well — a lot of customers are staying there for more than two-to-three hours, and taking that space up in front of the business. [They] need vehicles to move along so the next customer can come in and use their services,” said Councillor Bill Sarai.

Sarai says as the area attracts more businesses and housing, spaces will only become more limited.

“It’s gonna be the new ‘in’ place in Kamloops on this side [of the river],” he said. “This is one of those touchy issues.”

The City is holding an information session on Zoom on Tuesday (Mar. 1) at 6:30. You can also provide feedback on the parking plan on Let’s Talk Kamloops.

by Stephanie Swensrude

City of Kamloops considers pay parking in Tranquille business area

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