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Wso� ,:o«aE�.o CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE v/
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
40 TEMPERANCE STREET TELEPHONE 623-3379
BOWMAN L1C 3A6 ONTARIO
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REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF
JANUARY 16, 1984.
CD-6-84 - Our File: 77.39.4.
SUBJECT: PROVISION OF FREE PARKING THE WEEK PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS AND
OTHER OCCASIONS IN THE DOWNTOWN BOWMANVILLE SHOPPING AREA.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. That this report be received; and
2. That the value of providing free parking in the Bowmanville Downtown
Business Improvement Area the week prior to Christmas and at other times
be referred to the D.B. I.A. Board of Management for review and comment; and
3. If necessary that Town staff meet with the D.B. I.A. Board of Management to
review the value and effectiveness of the program; and
4. Report to Council with respect to the future of the program. .
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT:
Council has at the request of the D.B. I.A. , provided free parking in the
commercial (metered parking) areas of Bowmanville. The purpose of the free
parking program was to encourage area residents to shop in downtown Bowmanville,
thereby improving the area merchants competative business opportunities.
While the concept is laudable, and should work to .everyone's benefit, the facts
are that the provision of free parking at key shopping periods during the year
has been dysfunctional and may in fact, have created a negative benefit. We
have found, that vehicles owned by employees of certain businesses have been
parked at meters all day, everyday. As .we11 , one vehicle was found to be
parked at a meter day and night for at least two days. In addi.ti.on to these
problems, ' phone calls were received from shoppers, who complained about the
all-day parkers and suggested, that we let the merchants know that they were
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CD-6-84 - 2 - January 16, 1984
going elsewhere to shop.
While the provision of free parking was seen as a way to enhance the downtown
business shopping area, on closer examination, there are signs that the merchants
lose because:
(a) Shoppers, finding much of the parking occupied,
leave Town and spend their shopping dollars elsewhere;
(b) The Town and the Bowmanville Downtown Business Improvement
Area lose revenues normally generated by the parking meter
system.
In the circumstances, it would be appropriate to request that the Board of
Management of the D.B. I.A. review the present program and advise Council on
its future use as a shopping incentive.
Respectfully submitted,
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Dav d W. Oakes, B.A. , A.M.C.T. ,
Town Clerk.
DWO/ms
cc: Mr. George Webster, Chairman
December 30, 1983.
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