Business owners along Columbia Street and Front Street want to know why the City of New Westminster seems to be in a rush to tear down the Front Street parkade, just as thedowntown is getting busier, not quieter.
The Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association released the results of a survey of its members last week, which found unanimous support for keeping the parkade, and a majority in favour of moving the bike lanes and eliminating back-in parking.
"All of them feel that the parkade should not be removed unless adequate, appropriate parking alternatives are provided," said Bill Shannon, BIA secretary.
Shannon said the changing nature of downtown, including new highrises, the future civic centre and Westminster Pier Park mean the parkade should be improved, not removed.
"This adds up to an additional load on the parkade that hasn't seemingly been adequately addressed," he said.
Council released its long-term vision for Front Street in September, part of which involved demolishing part of the parkade.
As for the concerns that the parkade is an "eyesore," or that it is underused, Shannon said it serves a purpose that downtown businesses depend on, which is what really matters.
"It's a parkade. I don't know of a beautiful parkade anywhere. Yes, it may not be the most glamourous structure in the world but who sees it? There are no buildings on the waterfront," he said, adding that the railway tracks and Front Street traffic aren't exactly scenic either.
Shannon said there is also a question of legality dating back to the city taking over the parkade after it was built by the downtown businesses.
"The city, in taking over the parkade, provided approximately 700 spaces to the building owners in the area of Front Street and Columbia," he said. "Those rights have never been extinguished, so the people that own the buildings and the rights to the parking spaces, are suggesting there's a compensation component involved."
Shannon said the BIA will be seeking a legal opinion on the matter.
As for bike lanes, Shannon said the BIA members report they are hardly used and slowing down traffic on an already congested street. He said moving the bike lanes to the waterfront or up to Carnarvon Street would be a better a fit.
Back-in angled parking was also roundly rejected by survey respondents. Shannon said it is confusing for shoppers and difficult to do when drivers don't leave any space for the person in front of them to back up.
Front Street business owners met last week to gather consensus on how to move forward on the downtown parking issue. The first step, Shannon said, is inviting the city to give a presentation to BIA members in late January to see if the city can allay some fears about a loss of downtown parking.
Shannon some many downtown business owners are questioning whether or not they want to renew their leases, and the uncertainty is keeping investors from opening new businesses downtown.
The survey had responses from 10 Front Street business owners on the parkade issue. Responses to the Columbia Street bike lanes and parking questions were open to the entire BIA.
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