Angled-parking demo proves adjustment period needed

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This article was published 20/07/2017 (2468 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was nearly painfully obvious Friday afternoon why a public demonstration was needed for the new back-in, angled parking spaces announced for Bannatyne Avenue.

A delivery truck driver braked just short of a car stopped on Bannatyne Avenue near Rorie Street being driven by a city employee in the process of showing the correct procedure for the new parking configuration so it could be shared with the public through the media.

The surprised delivery driver glanced around and, as he figured out what was going on, slowly backed up to make room for the vehicle to finish parking. It was a clear reminder there will likely be an adjustment period while people get used to the move away from the parallel parking that had formerly been in place on Bannatyne Avenue.

Beginning Monday, the change to backed-in angle parking will create 10 more parking spaces in an area where parking has been notoriously difficult to find, the city said.

The new parking plan was officially unveiled Friday as an eight-month pilot project.

The new angled parking stalls, which require drivers to back into them, line the section of Bannatyne Avenue between Rorie Street and Waterfront Drive. That section of Bannatyne will change to a one-way westbound street.

Winnipeg city councillor Marty Morantz (Charleswood -Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge) said “backed-in, angle parking will be new for most of us.”

“Winnipeg’s downtown is changing, there are more people living downtown and working downtown, there’s new developments along Waterfront Drive,” said Morantz, the chair of the city’s standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works.

“This is a very innovative solution to that parking problem by adding so many spots.”

“People are tired of driving around in the Exchange District looking for parking,” said Coun. Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas). “This pilot project, which will be fully operational on Monday, is going to create angle parking. Many of the businesses I’ve been speaking to are very supportive of this concept. They like the idea of more parking in the exchange.”

City officials said the lines for the new angled parking spaces, including side and back lines near the curb so drivers won’t back up too far, will be painted during the weekend to replace the temporary markers now in place.

A man who works in a building on Bannatyne Avenue said the parking project is “a stupid idea.”

“Everything was fine before, but they have to go and change it. For what?” said the man said, who did not give his name as he hurried through a downpour of rain during Friday’s lunch hour.

The city said feedback will be gathered during the eight months of the pilot project from businesses in the area, street-parking users and people visiting the area through an online survey. The feedback will be used to determine the effectiveness of the change and the feasibility of implementing angled parking elsewhere in the Exchange District or in the downtown area.

Motorists are cautioned to be on the lookout for new planters that will be installed to block the eastbound entrance to the roundabout on Waterfront Drive from Bannatyne Avenue.

The city said there will be no changes to the existing bike lane on Bannatyne Avenue.

Since vehicles must be backed in, the city said a $70 fine will be issued for an incorrectly parked vehicle in the new stalls. However, there will be a one-month grace period in which warning notices will be issued instead of tickets on incorrectly parked vehicles.

“Everyone come down to the Exchange and try out the angled parking,” Morantz said. “We are looking for Winnipeggers’ feedback so please try it out and let us know what you think.”

To provide feedback, email pilotproject@winnipeg.ca or call 311.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca