When Iived in PG I parked in the second avenue parkade and even though it was technically at capacity, most of the time it was 75% full at best. I believe there are loads of people who buy passes but you never actually saw vehicles there (Northern Health was one example).

Perhaps the city should do try and ensure that these is at least a minimal amount of usage in order to secure a spot. Sure it’s good to receive the monthly revenue, but if it just “phantom” sales and others are forced onto the streets and secondary lots so they can park while at work, everyone loses.

The Wood Innovation and Design Centre could have solved their parking problem by building undercround parking, but as usual little thinking goes into PG projects.

Wood Innovation and Design Center is below the 200-year flood level at ground level already. There is no way they could have put in underground parking without great cost. Its why all this focus on developing George street is an uphill battle unless its government dollars involved. Probably the RCMP will vacate the parkade on 5th and Queensway and then the WIDC will occupy that space.

I think the city made a big mistake not having underground parking for the police station. That alone would free up two lots for downtown parking and help to set a precedence for Victoria street developments having their own parking underground.

If I worked downtown I’d think of pushing for a rapid bus line with direct none stop service between Pine Center, or Spruceland and one or two places in the downtown. Park for free and a short bus ride from there to work. Could even do something like that along River Road, and then have a shuttle service.

They would have drowned one year out of 200 …. ;-)

Seriously though, the City does not yet know how to build a parkade underground in a high water table area.

Why do you think this city has so many above ground parkades?

There is a one storey underground parkade below the previous Bingo Hall and one below the HSBC building, as well as a semi “undeground” one below the south half of the old Kresge building. I think that is about it.

Once they get the hang of building the wooden office building, they might get inspired to build the first wooden parkade in the world behind it. ;-)

Ever notice the above ground parkade at the hospital? No flood danger there. They could have built that underground since land seems to be a bit precious there.

The thing about underground parkades is that they are perceived as not being all that safe.

I believe there is a one storey parking facility below the Cancer Clinic.

The only waiting list is for the cheap stalks, but notice how the print it….makes it sounds like there is a waiting list for all spots.. Take a stroll in the parkade on 2nd avenue and see all the empty stalls. The downtown workers are parking on the streets doing the 2 hr shuffle.

Yes gus! Why above ground parking at the hospital! Between the cancer centre,hospital,phoenix med and the new kordyban lodge,parking is nothing but a nightmare for these people. The new kordyban lodge has 8 parking spots for people staying there… it has 30 something beds.

I think the two hour shuffle is coming to end as the parking police can now track liscence plates to determine, that is what your doing. The max is to be able to park 3 hrs downtown.

I love this town,it keeps getting better and better and the council just makes it even worse, Green keeps screwing her self at her little business downtown because if all employees have to park on the streets there won’t be any room for actual customers to go the pathetic downtown. Keep it up council you are doing a great job

Haha, Buzzinga. So true.

City could build some underground parking and then sell the airspace above them.

Underground parking in a flood plain? Invest in a water filter at flood time. PRESTO! A Four Seasons annex. Free. Underground parking? A hidden shopping centre for thieves and car break in artists? Muggings too? Or is that only in a big city? Just waiting for the city to ponder underground parking at the Railway Museum and Cottonwood Park. I think they are that stoopid. Could happen.

Didn’t the Saddledome have water up to the 8th row when the floods hit Calgary earlier in the year? Are the Flames playing in Cold Lake now?

They are going to demolish the old Ed Delorme. What is their intention on cleaning up the soil on that site? This was originally a Texico gas station and with that comes underground fuel tank, very old underground fuel tanks! Every other empty lot in town that had a gas station on it had to be cleaned. This is very long and expensive process.

Just saying! Have a great week everybody.

taxi

Don’t forget how messy parking will get at the new hotel being built downtown. An event at the hotel and an event at the Civic Centre at the same time will be a parking nightmare.

Building a parking lot on the Delorme/Norgate property… perfect way to prep the land for the PAC.

Those darn Unions. Who do they really think they are earning over 20 dollars per hour and supporting our local economy. Lets roll the wages back and have everyone make 15 bucks an hour. We are talking about those who work at the City, pulp mills,education, health care, universities,colleges,schools,mechanic shops,and the list goes on and on.
Who will be supporting the economy and raising their families here. No one. House sales will stop, businesses will close, and the city may as well roll up the streets and call it quits.
Who’s wages support your 15 dollar per hour job. You guessed it. Those who are union members and work hard to negotiate settlements within their contracts that enable the nay sayers in these comments to actually have a job. Its time to be thankful for the work done by unions, and recognize how many non union jobs are supported through their wages.For those who may not be represented by a unionized bargaining unit, and may earn a decent wage, you may want to think of how your wages got to where they are. Good for CUPE and best of luck with the mob on the 5th floor at City Hall. Just sayin.