LRT construction brings free parking to downtown Kitchener

Soon you may be able to park for free in downtown Kitchener, thanks to a new initiative introduced by the Downtown KitchenerBIA and city staff.

Monday, during a finance committee meeting at city hall, Kitchener staff suggested the city waive parking fees on evenings and weekends, in an effort to bring more people downtown.

Staff hopethe move wil boost foot traffic, which has dropped due toION light rail transit construction downtown.

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"As a city we want to make sure we support our businesses,so this is one way we can help support them during the next year to two of construction," said Cory Bluhm, the city's manager of downtown development.

Bluhm said if approved by council, all municipal lots in the city's core would waive parking fees after 5 p.m. on weekdays. On weekends, three of the city's parking garages would offer free parking for two hours.The free parking policy would remain in place until ION construction is complete in 2017.

"We certainly can't halt construction, it has to happen, but at least we can try to make the parking aspect of someone's journey downtown a little less frustrating," Bluhm said.

Free parking means revenue loss

The free parking plan will come at a cost to the city.

Bluhm said the city would lose out on about$77,000 in annual revenue from parking.

Still, citycouncillorsvoted unanimously in favour of the free parking plan during the finance committee meeting Monday.

"Council was extremely supportive of this endeavour. They realize that this is a hit on revenue but it's a cost that they were prepared to absorb to support our businesses," Bluhm said.

The final vote to bring free parking on evenings and weekends to downtown Kitchener will be at the KitchenerCity Council meeting onNov. 9.