Back-in angled parking aims to bring more people — and their vehicles — to the Exchange District

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This article was published 19/07/2017 (2464 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Drivers who hate parallel parking rejoice – at least, for the next eight months.

The City of Winnipeg will unveil a new eight-month pilot project Monday — on Bannatyne Avenue between Rorie Street and Waterfront Drive — that will make parallel parking a thing of the past.

Instead, new reverse angled parking stalls will line the section of Bannatyne, which will be converted into a one-way westbound street, in an effort to bring more on-street parking to the Exchange District.

“Parking is in very short supply in the Exchange District,” said Coun. Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas).

“It’s a number one priority for residents and businesses and at the end of the day we’re going to nearly double the capacity of parking on the street. This is a very innovative way to bring angled parking to the Exchange District.”

But, two business owners on the stretch of Bannatyne set to be affected have expressed concern with both the project and its timing.

“What they’re doing now is not properly done,” said Alfonso Maury, 51, owner of Corrientes Argentine Pizzeria.

“Street parking in the summer is not that important. Half the people of the city are away on holidays. There are other things the city should be taking care of downtown before worrying about 45-degree parking.”

A city spokeswoman said the Office of Public Engagement informed business owners in the area about the project Wednesday.

One of those owners asked not to be quoted, but said she was in agreement with Maury on the topic.

Maury also worries the changes could create dangerous situations for both cyclists and people enjoying restaurant patios, as cyclists may be pushed closer to traffic and vehicles backing into parking stalls carelessly could bump into his patio.

“It’s going to kill once a week if you ask me,” said Maury. “It’s going to be really dangerous.”

The city, however, says existing bike lanes will not be affected by the change.

The response to the project by both the public and business owners will play a large role in whether or not the changes become permanent. Should it be a success, Coun. Pagtakhan says it could serve as a springboard for bringing similar designs to other areas of the neighbourhood.

The Institute for Transportation Engineers says reserve angled parking is one of the best and safest practices for large cities, as it allows drivers to see on-coming traffic sooner when pulling out of a parking space.

That said, Maury is still disappointed with the timing of the project even if it does improve the parking situation in the Exchange District.

“I just don’t see any reason to start it now,” said Maury. “We have the Fringe Festival now. We have the Canada Games coming up. Why not wait ’til September or even October. Parking in downtown is always going to be complicated, but the time for this is in the winter.”

A parking violation grace period of one-month will follow the changes, where only warnings will be handed out to drivers parked incorrectly. But after one month, a $70 ticket will be issued.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca