The City of Nanaimo is considering options to expand its temporary free parking initiative during construction on Commercial Street.
Since construction began on September 3 of this year, parking has become limited on the street. To support businesses and encourage more visitors to the downtown area, the City started offering temporary two-hour free on-street parking on October 1.
At a city council meeting on October 21, Councillor Hilary Eastmure said she has heard from downtown business owners who told her the current free parking spots are not enough. She made a motion for city staff to make a report on options to provide two-hour free parking within City-owned parkades during the redesign.
Mayor of Nanaimo, Leonard Krog said a similar report had found there would be significant complexities that would limit providing free parking in the City-owned parkades.
The motion to direct staff to prepare a report on options to provide two-hour free parking within City-owned parkades passed unanimously.
