Two-hour evening restriction on 900 downtown Winnipeg parking spots approved by committee

The City of Winnipeg will consider a new proposal from the Winnipeg Parking Authority to create more turnover on downtown streets in the evening.

The city will not charge drivers for evening parking in downtown Winnipeg, but there will be one restriction.

Drivers can only park on the street for two hours between 5:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

After that they have to move, or face getting a ticket.

“Some of the people that are parking there for those long stretches of time in the evening, let’s get them off the street and create that availability on street. I think this will hopefully address that,” said city councillor, Jeff Browaty.

Initially, the Winnipeg Parking Authority wanted to charge motorists after 5:30 p.m. to park downtown to create turnover for on-street parking.

Instead, the Alternate Service Delivery Committee voted to put a two-hour time limit in place on 900 street spaces downtown in the evening until 10 p.m.

The affected area borders Kennedy and Garry Streets from east to west.

Broadway acts as the southern border, with Portage and Ellice as the northern limits.

The owner of a store on Graham Avenue says she loses business when customers can’t park, and likes the proposed idea.

“I think that’s a good idea because it gives people a chance of coming to downtown more, and makes the downtown more useable,” said C.K. Ly Fashion owner Cuikia Ly.

But not all drivers agree. Dotun Akinlade said two hours is too short, and may discourage drivers from going downtown.

“I think downtown should be for everybody. And when you put restrictions there, it restricts some people from coming,” said Akinlade.

The city plans to use vehicles equipped with license recognition cameras to enforce the new rules.

The plan would go into effect October 1^st.

After six months, if the time limit restriction doesn't create the turnover desired, ASD committee chair Jeff Browaty says the city might have to consider charging for parking in the future.

EPC and city council must approve the new measures.

With files from Jeff Keele and Meghan Roberts

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  The Winnipeg Parking Authority wanted to charge motorists after 5:30 p.m. to park downtown to create turnover for on-street parking. (File)