New Thunder Bay courthouse could mean less parking

The new consolidated courthouse finally opens in Thunder Bay on Monday, and while many south side businesses welcome its arrival,some are concerned there may not be enough parking in the area.

Tom Petrie's shop, Petrie Cycle and Sportson Archibald Street N., faces the new courthouse,and Archibald said he and other local businesses feel there soon wont soon be enough parking.

In this town everyone wants to park right in front of where they are going, Petrie said, adding that business owners canonly wait and see how problematic it might become.

The manager of the Thunder Bay Parking Authority, James Coady, is also is taking the wait-and-see stance.

We believethat, at least initially, the parking supply should be adequate. But of course we dont know until the facility opens and we see what happens, particularly over the first year, Coady said,adding that if businesses decide there is not enough parking, they will help find a way for their needs to be met.

Currently the courthouse has two parking lots, but many of the spots are reserved for the judiciary and courthouse staff.