Two city business leaders took aim yesterday at the lack of checks and balances at the Calgary Parking Authority.
Representatives from Uptown 17th and Marda Loop Business Revitalization Zones said the recommendations of an independent parking review presented to the land use, planning and transportation committee, were inadequate because they still give the responsibility for change to the Calgary Parking Authority.
“It’s not working already, and now we’re putting the responsibility to the people who aren’t providing the service properly,” said Barbara Stein, executive director of the Uptown 17th BRZ, who called for “checks and balances on the way the CPA operates.”
Stein complained the authority changes parking prices without consulting surrounding businesses.
Ald. Ray Jones agreed.
“I think that’s a reasonable request. They should be consulted on stuff like that,” he said.
The parking review found “a perceived arrogance on the part of the CPA, poor media relations management and a lack of a strong customer service focus,” but left it up to the CPA to make changes.
“I would encourage council not to adopt the proposals until we have an arms-length body,” said Bernadette Geronazzo, executive director of the Marda Loop BRZ.
