The City of Saint John is undertaking a comprehensive parking study focusing on the south-central peninsula.
Council recently awarded a contract to Arcadis Professional Services (Canada) Inc. for more than $164,000.
Marc Dionne, the city’s parking services director, said the consultant will look at everything parking-related.
“Our rates, our demand, our supply, accessible parking, alternate side parking, loading zones,” Dionne told council.
Coun. Paula Radwan, who brought up concerns about accessible parking in the city, said she was pleased to hear that.
Radwan said of the nearly 4,000 on-street and off-street parking spots in the uptown, there are only about 18 or 19 accessible on-street spots.
“I’m hoping that that number will go up a lot, so it’ll be good to see what the outcome is,” she said.
City staff said the study will help to support and provide strategic short-term and long-term recommendations for future growth and innovative parking improvements.
Community engagement will also be part of the report, which is expected to come before council in February.