Crackdown on parking 'free-for-all'
50 Street lots used by dozens of vehicles now barricaded
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, June 19, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The downtown parking "free-for-all" on city-owned lots along 50 Street and a portion of the 50/50 lot has come to an end.
These "special event" signs were the first indication the city was cracking down on free parking on lots along 50 Street. Last week concrete barriers with chains connecting them were placed at the edges of the lot to keep vehicles out. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
Concrete barriers were placed around the edge of the three lots along 50 Street where Yellowknifer previously reported dozens of vehicles per day were parking for free while nearby metered parking spaces were unused.
"I guess that's one step to ending the free-for-all that's been happening," Coun. Niels Konge said Tuesday.
Konge explained there was no specific discussion or directive by councillors recently to place the concrete barriers, but they've previously indicated they don't want the space used as a parking lot.
"What it was becoming was a free-for-all from parking," said Jeffrey Humble, the city's planning and development director. "We were getting some complaints from businesses."
Temporary barriers now block a portion of the nearby 50/50 lot that was also being used for free as recently as May.
The other parking spaces in the lot are being utilized by the mall and the city is working on establishing a short-term lease for those users.
"We don't want to commit to anything too firmly until we get the concepts worked out of what we might do with the space and that will involve council input," he said.
He believes a report may come to council by August on ideas for the lots.
Working with consultant
The city is still working with a hired consultant to compile the results of several sessions last month about what people would like to see developed on the 50/50 lot, which the city purchased last year.
At various times during the week before the barriers were placed, up to 24 vehicles were parked on the 50 Street lot.
Konge hopes placing the barriers is the first step in the city actually coming up with a plan for the side-by-side lots purchased in 2012 for $975,000. After the lots were purchased, buildings on the site were demolished at further cost to the city.
The lots have been offered for sale.
"There have been some inquires but nobody is stepping forward for purchase at this time," Humble said.
