Relief is on the way as 105 new parking spaces will soon be coming to the downtown core.
On Friday afternoon, the City of Orillia announced a new temporary parking lot will be created at 20 Front St. S., following the signing of a lease agreement between the city and the property owner, Geoff Campbell, the developer behind Matchedash Lofts.
The city anticipates opening the lot, known as ‘Lot 15,’ this June, but stated its opening “will be dependent on getting all the necessary infrastructure in place.”
Parking will cost $3 per hour, with an eight-hour time limit, seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The parking lot will be accessible via Colborne Street East, and two pedestrian pathways will connect it to Front Street South and Mississaga Street East.
“As revitalization of the city’s downtown waterfront is impacting the current parking supply, this new temporary parking lot within the downtown waterfront area will provide residents and visitors with convenient parking near our beautiful waterfront parks throughout the construction taking place,” said Mayor Don McIsaac in a news release.
The parking rate for Lot 15 was set in line with the “demand-based” rates that took effect May 1.
“The new demand-based parking rates will help offset the costs of this temporary measure. I would like to thank Mr. Geoff Campbell for working with the City to find this interim solution as we continue to investigate a long-term strategy for parking in the downtown.”
The new parking will be a relief for many downtown business owners and shoppers, said Joe Winacott, owner of Studabakers, a popular bar and restaurant at the foot of Mississaga Street.
“It's the best news I've heard in a long time. A lot of thanks goes there to council for pushing that through so fast,” Winacott told OrilliaMatters. “The parking down there is tough right now with everything that's going on with … all the development down there. I think it'll be a welcome addition for everybody.”
Earlier this year, Winacott designed a parking lot concept for the Front Street area, replete with renderings, and sent it to the city.
“I'm glad that the city is listening and moving in the right direction,” he said.
Of the 105 spaces planned, three will be accessible spaces.
