Parking Strategy Update

The City of Barrie has been rethinking its approach to parking.

Since August 2019, the City of Barrie has been working with residents, workers, businesses, and visitors to our area to ensure updates to the Parking Strategy are relevant and thoughtful.

Since consultation has now closed, staff have been working diligently to incorporate your feedback into recommendations for moving forward. The 2020 Parking Strategy was approved by City Council on October 26, 2020 with implementation taking place until December 2021.

To review the Parking Strategy and any further updates, please visit 'Parking Strategy(External link)' at barrie.ca/parking(External link).

Background

Since the 2012 Parking Strategy & Rate Review(External link), visitors started paying for parking on the waterfront, surplus municipal parking lots were designated for redevelopment, the new Transportation Master Plan(External link) set progressive targets to increase walking, cycling and transit ridership, and the Official Plan Project was launched to design policies that will help accommodate future growth.

These changes could impact parking demand in the downtown and waterfront areas, so we need to refresh the Parking Strategy(External link) to identify solutions for current parking challenges while developing a long term, financially sustainable plan that supports city growth over the next 20 years.

There are many stakeholders that have a vested interest in parking, including residents, workers, businesses, and visitors that come to the downtown and waterfront area for both short-term and long-term stays. To ensure the Parking Strategy Update provides relevant and thoughtful recommendations, and aligns with Council’s Strategic Priorities(External link), 4 key focus areas have been identified:

	Financial Sustainability- the parking reserve should be sustainable in both the short-term and long-term in order to maintain the level of service to the community and meet financial obligations.
	Downtown Enrichment- parking should support a vibrant downtown and waterfront that are easy to navigate and inviting to residents, visitors, and businesses.
	Transportation Diversification- parking should contribute to the comprehensive transportation initiatives of the City.
	Continuous Improvement- parking should provide a cohesive service that is citizen-driven and future-ready.

(External link)