Empty parking stalls, once a rarity in Calgary’s bustling core, are now commonplace among the city’s surface lots and parking garages, as vehicle traffic into downtown remains below historic highs due to prolonged challenges, including lower levels of leased office space and more people working from home since the COVID-19 pandemic.Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
“Calgarians have a certain affinity towards parking. It’s an amenity that we’ve had for a while, it’s largely accessible, and the thought of having less parking might seem scary to some people.”Article content That tick downwards in pricing corresponds with a drop in demand spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Calgary Parking Authority reporting usage has now returned to about 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
There’s been an increase in parking demand over the fall, but usage rates remain fairly stable since the spring, Blaschuk added. It remains to be seen whether parking rates will continue to creep up or level out. Some of that capacity was necessary to service businesses, as retail developments made their home in the area. But other lots were flagged for development, to attract additional people to the area with nearby residents being able to access area businesses without getting in their car.
“We’re regularly reviewing the occupancy of our lots at various times of the day, what the community needs are and how they’re changing, what are alternate things we can do with those lots,” Blaschuk said.
My vote would be for community gardens or allotments. It would green up the city and help the food supply chain.
Lower rates….
Lower the parking rates. The city owns the most spaces and if they lowered the rates, the rest would follow.
Build shelters for homeless and prisons for liberals!
Downtown Calgary parking is ridiculously expensive, plus the city loves to fine people on weekends. I avoid downtown due to those reasons.
With the second most expensive parking (to New York) maybe make them affordable? 🤷♂️ yyc 🤯
You forgot to mention the massive layoffs in Oil and Gas. I am surprised downtown is not like a ghost town. It seems like the cityofcalgary didn't see fit to reduce their ridiculous parking rates. A 1 hour Dr appointment at GulfCanada Sq cost me $10.50. Damn ridiculous.
FREE PARKING AFTER 5pm
Perhaps the reason it's underutilized is because it's too expensive to park downtown and people are sick of being nickel and dimed to death
Parking downtown is crappy and expensive so some free parking spaces are welcome and would likely bring some business back. Additionally some space could be used for pop up stores, restaurants, food trucks, mini markets for small craft vendors.