Extended parking zones could come to Calgary downtown and Beltline

It could soon be easier to park for longer periods of time on some downtown streets.

With the economic downturn, the City of Calgaryis considering converting some short-stay parking zones downtown and in the Beltline into long-stay spaces.

Because of a noticeable drop in traffic and vehicles parking downtown, the city is looking at turning 160 parking spaces that are now two-hour spots into four-hour parking zones.

The chair of the transportation committee, Coun. Shane Keating, saidthiscould mean more revenue and better use of the space,even if it costs a bit of money to change the signs.

"Are you going to incur expenses to give better service? Naturally. And is it worth the expense? That's what should be studied, but Ithink any time that you're giving better service to the residents of Calgary, it's probably worth a small investment," Keating said.

If approved, the new rules would not necessarily be permanent. They could be changed back once the economy rebounds.

City council will discuss the issue later this month.

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