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DOI approves downtown parking strategy
The District of Invermere wants a strategy for downtown parking, as part of its larger community enhancement plans.
District council last night (Feb. 14) unanimously approved Opus International Consulting’s (of Kelowna)$33,488 (including HST) to complete a downtown parking strategy for the town.
A total of 11 bids were received, said district director of development services Rory Hromadnik, with Opus’ coming in as the lowest and it “scored the highest.”
Council was considering the recommendation based on the desires of the previous council, Hromadnik said.
“Development of a comprehensive downtown parking strategy became a strategic priority with the previous council as the desire to gradually implement the council adopted Community Enhancement Plan (CEP); specifically the downtown core revitalization portion of the CEP received high priority,” he reported.
“The fundamentals of the CEP within the downtown core is to; create a downtown celebration square in a rejuvenated Cenotaph park by expanding the park to the south, eliminating parking along the north side of Toby Theatre and turning 12th Avenue into a two way street; Expanding the sidewalk width through possible parking adaptations along 7th Avenue creating a more interesting space for vending, walking, music etc.; Improving non motorized access to the downtown core to potentially alleviate some of the parking issues during peak periods,” Hromadnik outlined in his report.
“Based on this desire, potential loss of parking spaces to park expansion, revised streetscapes and growth a need for a comprehensive parking strategy that addressed and assessed the current and future needs, potential changes and reflected the sustainability goals of the community was identified,” he said.
Having a parking strategy completed makes sense, if the town is going to proceed with the CEP, said Coun. Greg Anderson.
“If we are going to do a downtown enhancement plan, this has got to be a key component,” he said.
A couple of councilors expressed mild concern about district money being better spent in these fiscally challenging times, including Coun. Spring Hawes who mused about it being held over for a spell.
Coun. Paul Denchuk agreed. “My concern is it just going to be another plan to sit on a shelf and collect dust?” If so, he said, the district’s money “could be better spent. I think we’re more worried about filling those parking spaces.”
Mayor Gerry Taft lobbied his councilors to support the strategy, noting the funds to pay for it are available in the district’s Parking Reserve Fund.
“I think it is money well spent now,” he said.
In the end he was successful as council unanimously approved the bid.
Hromadnik said he expects the strategy to be completed by October, giving Opus time to conduct work during the busy summer season.
New Invermere Business Committee chair Alita Bentley said she was happy to see council take this step.
“I think the parking plan is quite wise,” she said.
To see more about the district’s community enhancement plans go to: https://invermere.civicweb.net/FileStorage/772BCA01664048A8A84529DEF7F6B098-Workspaceparking%20stragegy%20back%20up.pdf
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
