While the city may open about 8,000 new parking spots downtown over the next three years, a Calgary alderman says it’s important to create a healthy balance.
The city is looking at 8,109 permits being issued — 7,850 in parkades and 259 on the street and at surface lots — all being built by the private sector.
Ward 8 Ald. John Mar said news that more parkades are on the way for the city’s core through the private sector is both good and bad.
“It’s a double-edged sword. It’s good to have the spots but we have to be careful not to get too congested,” Mar said.
“We need to maintain the atmosphere and vitality of offices and retail spaces with the parking, too. We need to have a balance.”
The Calgary Downtown Association likes new long-term parking, but hopes the city creates more short-term parking and cheaper parking.
“We’re really supportive of more parking but for us we would like to see it translate to lower costs for parking as a whole,” executive director Maggie Schofield said.
