Happy Cheapskate: Free downtown parking?!?!

Free parking downtown, you say?

Just a few weeks ago, I got an informative little tweet from Downtown St. John's, formerly the Downtown Development Commission, boasting about all the parking downtown.

And a lot of it is free! Not during the regular nine to five workday, of course, but weeknights after 6 p.m. and on weekends there are more than dozen parking lots where one can park for free. 

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Here's the handy little map I got.

There are four types of parking lots: two that are permit and hourly parking only; and two others — the yellow and blue starred lots — that are supposed to be FREE after 6 p.m. and on weekends. These are the ones we're dealing with here.

There are 15 lots that are blue or yellow starred and — according to the folks at Downtown St. John's — are supposed to be free and open weeknights and weekends.

Does this look free and open to you?

How about this? Would you dare park here on weekend night or weekend?

If these lots are intended for public parking, you'd never know it.

Frankly, they seem misleading. Twenty-four hour enforcement? Really? When you're actually allowed to park there after 6 p.m. and on weekends?

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I sent the photos off to Bern Davis, the St. John's councillor who handles most parking issues as chair of the Services and Housing standing committee. He admits the signage is a problem.

 

"The DDC have done their homework and contacted these owners, but obviously it would be nice if they were able to discuss with these owners about putting signage that adequately represents what is available in their parking lot," said Davis.

The city has deals with these private owners to monitor their lots in exchange for the right to issue tickets (collect revenue) from people who park when they shouldn't, but Davis says the city can't force private companies to put up signs spelling out when people are permitted to park hassle-free.

"They got to put their own signage up with respect to their own lots. We can't force the taxpayers of the city of St. John's to institute signage that says 'park here after 6' if we don't even own the lot."

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Davis says he will discuss talk to Downtown St. John's to see if the signs can be more informative.

Two of the downtown parking lots are actually owned by the city, not private companies, but its signage isn't any better. 

There are a couple of levels on top of the City Hall parking garage. And check out this charming little spot tucked away off George Street.

"That's something we'll bring up at our next Community Services meeting, for sure." 

I thought I'd throw in this picture, too. Just cause I found it kinda funny.