The London city council has voted to reintroduce a one-hour free parking promotion in the city’s core area. The promotion will provide free on-street parking in the core area, as well as in municipal lots No. 1 and 2 in Old East Village via the Honk Mobile App until the end of the year. The motion was initially rejected by the community and protective services committee but was later approved by council. The funding for the promotion, amounting to $300,000 for on-street parking and $30,000 for the municipal lots, comes from an economic development reserve fund. The original promotion was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to support businesses and has since been extended due to ongoing economic impacts.
Ward 13 Coun. David Ferreira, whose ward includes the downtown area, sees the promotion as a positive step for the small businesses in the core area and as a part of downtown revitalization efforts. He emphasizes the importance of having a plan in place to avoid the need for future extensions of the promotion. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis also supports the promotion, stating that it provides vital support to local businesses and BIAs. He acknowledges the need to eventually transition away from the promotion but believes it is currently beneficial for businesses.
Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson, while supportive of the free parking promotion, expressed concerns about maintaining cleanliness and safety in the OEV lots, specifically addressing issues such as garbage and open drug use. She plans to advocate for clear standards for municipal lots to ensure a safe and supportive environment for small businesses, arts, and culture. City staff confirm that there are already standards in place for maintaining municipal lots throughout the year. However, some council members, including Ward 6 Coun. Sam Trosow, worry that the promotion may lead to a series of extensions that could create challenges when attempting to make changes in the future.
Council members voted 11-3 in favor of the promotion’s return, with Ward 11 Coun. Skylar Franke and Ward 7 Coun. Corrine Rahman joining Trosow in voting against it. The remaining council members supported the reintroduction of the free parking promotion. While some concerns were raised about potential challenges and the need for clearer standards, overall, the promotion was seen as a positive step to support local businesses in the core area. The council members acknowledge the importance of aiding businesses during a challenging economic climate and view the promotion as a tool for downtown revitalization efforts. The decision to reintroduce the promotion was made with the aim of providing support to businesses and stimulating economic activity in the city’s core.
