Parking Plan in a nutshell

Nanaimo downtown parking has been an issue since well before I became a founding member of the city's Transportation Advisory Committee.

In fact it was part of the reason the TAC was formed - to deal with the report from a consultants study of the parking situation in downtown Nanaimo and area.

Parking somewhere- downtown, in Hospital area or around Vancouver Island University - has been on the TAC Agenda almost constantly.

About 2 years ago I will say a new face appeared on the staff side of the table at our meetings.  Rod Davidson was a clear spoken, confident sort that came to us from Penticton with a resume of accomplishment in Parking.  I was happy to know that someone, somewhere had been thru this and had survived.

In a nutshell - Rod is good and he does have a plan.  I had a chance to review it with him on Wednesday.

A year from now expect to see Smart Parking Meter Machines sporadically spaced along the streets in the affected downtown area.  These machines will have smart phone interfaces so you do not have to physically be there to add time.  Cash will be accepted.

Also there will be a car with cameras rushing around in areas without meters to check on the position of your tire stem.  Yes I said "tire stem".  Amazing what technology can do at 80 km/hr.

So the idea is that the best parking will be available for people who want it the most at a reasonable price.  There will be sufficient parking and signage to direct people to it.

That is the plan.  Others have been through this before and survived.  It is the way growing progressive communities handle the issue of parking.

Perhaps like an older sibling going through adolescence - it sounds awful, can't be avoided and in the end gets us somewhere better than before

Keep the faith and consider a bicycle :)



TOMORROW ........................FINAL JEOPARDY 21%