Angled parking experiment aims to solve Exchange District parking woes

The city is taking a new angle on parking, in hopes of solving the Exchange District's shortage of spaces.

An eight-month pilot project will see the stretch of Bannatyne Avenue between Rorie Street and Waterfront Drive in the East Exchange converted into a one-way street to accommodate angled parking spots.

The project goes into effect Monday.

By replacing parallel parking spots with angled spots, the city said it is opening up 10 additional spaces along that stretch of Bannatyne.

At a news conference in the Exchange District on Friday, Point Douglas Coun. Mike Pagtakhan called the angled spots an "innovative new approach" to the area's parking problem.

"People are tired of driving around in the Exchange District looking for parking," he said.

Public Works chair Marty Morantz said with more people living and working downtown, something had to change. 

"This has become a true neighbourhood with development along Waterfront Drive," said Morantz. "And parking has become an issue, it's been an issue in the Exchange District for many years."

Earlier this year, the city launched a review of the number of loading zones in the Exchange District, with the aim of possibly eliminating some of them to create more space. 

Area businesses, residents and visitors will be able to offer their feedback to the city on the new parking spots through an online survey.

• Loading zone overload under review

The city has an instructional video on how to use the angled parking spots on their website.

The Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works is expecting an interim report on the new parking spots in the fall.