Get off parking meters, Wells tells downtown workers

Crowded parking conditions in downtown St. John's could be alleviated if businesses were tougher with their employees, Mayor Andy Wells says.

Construction of a new sewer processing system has temporarily wiped out parking spaces along Harbour Drive, adding to a perennial parking squeeze.

Bill Mahoney, who chairs the St. John's Downtown Development Commission, said too many parking meters are being misused.

Many employees who work downtown, he said, are parking on the street during the workday and using many of the 800 meters in the area, rather than using long-term parking farther away.

"We're a little bit spoiled because we expect to be able to park right outside the business, and you can't do that in any downtown in North America," Mahoney said.

"What we're seeing is the effects of a very vibrant economy, and it's a very busy downtown."

Wells said if that is the problem, then it's time for the business owners to get that message across to workers.

"Business operators downtown should get after their employees," Wells said.

"If it's employees parking on the meters, it's probably detrimental to the business itself, because they're probably taking up spaces that could be used by shoppers," Wells said.

The DDC said the public needs to learn the consequences of misusing parking spaces. The agency is working with city hall and Metrobus to find some answers, such as shuttle bus service for downtown workers.