While the City of Belleville has enough parking spaces in the downtown, how those spaces are used and the revenue they generate could be improved.
The city hosted an open house at Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre on Tuesday to showcase the results of a comprehensive parking study undertaken by Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited.
The first phase of the study included the completion of parking counts and an online survey to gather feedback from businesses, residents and visitors.
The project team reviewed the parking survey data, assessed current needs and developed preliminary recommendations for consideration.
Those findings and recommendations were on display at Tuesday’s open house.
The city manages 1,282 downtown parking spaces including 944 spaces in 14 municipal lots and 338 street spaces.
Prior to 2020, parking revenues covered operating and capital costs for parking services but since the COVID-19 pandemic, revenues have been lower and funds have been drawn from a reserve to cover operating expenses.
The consultant team’s report suggests the financial outlook is unsustainable without new revenues and has made several recommendations to increase revenue, as well as other improvements.
Paradigm’s Consultant Team Project Manager Kevin Jones says they are suggesting the recommendations be implemented in three phases from 2026 through 2028.
Phase one would see an increase in set fines as the majority of parking fines in Belleville are lower than in other similar municipalities.
It would also increase monthly permit fees but also provide additional monthly permit spaces as well as implement overnight parking permits.
Hourly lot rates would also increase to $1.50 per hour.
Major changes in phase two would see the implementation of paid parking on Front Street, however, parking time limits would increase to two hours and there would be one hour free parking implemented in the Front and Riverside lots.
Pay and display machines would be added for parking on Front Street.
Phase three would include implementing evening flat rates in lots and for on-street parking as well as increasing evening enforcement.
Beyond the third phase, the consultant’s report suggests phasing out all remaining meters and replacing them with pay and display machines and adding enhanced signage and safety measures in lots.
Paradigm is continuing to accept feedback and will refine their recommendations based on that feedback before presenting final parking study recommendations to council in the new year.
More information on the project including future updates can be found on the project webpage: Belleville.ca/2024ParkingStudy.
Questions can also be directed to BellevilleParkingStudy@ptsl.com or 613-968-6481.
