New on-street parking on the edges of Sarnia's downtown core are up for city council approval on Monday.
Mayor Mike Bradley said they were found in a parking assessment by staff, where a number of factors were taken into consideration.
"The Ferry Dock Hill location is still free until we decide what we're going to do on the construction side there and the future of that site," said Bradley. "The Victoria lot is still free and it's a very underutilized lot, and has been for years, so that's available. But, another 55 spots will be created more on the fringe of the downtown as it relates to Johnston Street and Christina [Street]. There are spots there that we can free up and make available to the public, and that's a fairly significant addition to parking."
City staff felt the additional spaces were needed as a result of more organized events and other initiatives that attract visitors downtown.
"I find it very creative, but the reality is... the issue has never really been the off-street lots, it's been the on-street parking and the ability of the consumer [and] business people to access that. So, this is a fairly significant step forward without additional costs beyond the line painting," he said.
Some underutilized two-hour limit spaces would also be converted to all day parking.
"These ones that are on the fringe of downtown, I agree with them that all day parking is suitable there and it will help free up some of the pressure on the on-street parking that has always been an issue and always will be," Bradley said.
He said recent signage changes, made to the waterfront lot across from city hall, have already made an impact.
"It is usable after hours and on weekends, but the signage did not give that feeling to the public," Bradley said. "So, that is available and that is a number of spots after hours and on weekends as it relates to the Corporate Centre at 265 Front Street, activities at the Imperial Theatre and the First Fridays."
If approved, it's anticipated the changes can be implemented over the course of the summer.
Staff said in areas where capital construction projects are planned, the changes would be implemented in conjunction with those jobs being completed.