The lack of parking spaces in Victoria's growing downtown is no secret, so one councillor is suggesting a new idea to free up space: charge more.
The five city-owned parkades in the downtown area are all routinely full as construction and bike lanes eat up street parking in B.C.'s capital.
On Thursday, for example, there were 46 spots available at the Yates Street parkade as of 11 a.m. Just over half an hour later, all of the spaces were taken.
A waitlist for monthly passes has been full for four years with no turnover, and options for growth seem limited.
"We're short about 400 spots," said Lisa Helps. "A new parkade is not the way to go, there's no room in the downtown for a parkade."
But Coun. Geoff Young says the solution to the parking crunch lies in charging higher prices.
Young thinks the price for monthly and full-day parking should increase to force some long-term parkers, like those working downtown, out of their cars – freeing up spots for short-term parkers like shoppers.
"Unfortunately the cost of parking is going to be going up," said Young. "If there's not vacant land with surface parking lots, then of course parking will cost more. There's nothing we can do as a city council to provide enough parking at low cost for everyone who wants to use it."
He also thinks the city's policy of offering the first hour free in parkades should take a hit at peak times.
"Maybe first hour free is a little too generous. Maybe we have to cut it back to the first 30 minutes free from 11-2."
It wasn't a popular suggestion with some drivers who spoke CTV Vancouver Island Thursday.
"If you eliminated the first hour free and raised the cost of parkades, I really don't think I'd be coming downtown at all," one woman told CTV reporter Robert Buffam.
That's exactly the response some downtown businesses fear is parking becomes more expensive.
"I think foot traffic will be steady, but it might hinder some people from checking out downtown," said Michelle Strickland of Amelia Lee Boutique.
For now, prices are staying put and the city says between 150 to 200 parking spots will free up once construction completes on several downtown streets.
