Red Deer’s downtown parking meters could be replaced by parking machines this time next year.
By the end of 2022 or early in 2023, the city will be installing new parking infrastructure to replace the aging coin-fed parking meters that stand at each street parking stall.
Erin Stuart, inspections and licensing manager for the city, told council on Monday that it’s hard to even get replacement parts for the existing parking meters, which were installed about 15 years ago.
City council previously approved about $2.5 million in the 2022 budget for new parking infrastructure.
Stuart said no decisions have yet been made on what kind of machines will replace the meters, but city administrators are studying parking machines used in Edmonton and Calgary. Only a few of these machines would be needed per city block, as opposed to having meters at every parking space, said Stuart.
Meanwhile — taking into consideration on-going pandemic-related difficulties experienced by downtown merchants — city council approved extending temporary free parking stalls in downtown up to the end of the year.
Red Deerians enjoyed free temporary parking stalls throughout downtown from June to December 2021, with every fifth meter offering free parking for up to two hours.
“We received positive feedback about free temporary parking stalls from downtown businesses and residents,” said Stuart. “By reinstating free temporary parking stalls, we aim to reduce barriers and encourage visits to downtown businesses and attractions, while demonstrating the city’s continued support for local businesses.”
This year’s temporary downtown parking program will look similar to last year, with 215 meters included. Minor changes to meter covers will be incorporated, to ensure the details of the program are clear to downtown visitors.
Although local parking revenues have decreased by about $80,000 annually, due to the work-from-home order during the pandemic, the city collected more than $1.7 million from parking charges in 2019.
This money goes towards maintaining city parking lots and other infrastructure, so these costs don’t have to be covered by tax revenues, council heard.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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