Recent proposed changes to fares for parking in downtown Victoria has kicked up an unfortunately predictable chorus of naysayers who claim any changes to parking fares will be the death blow for our struggling downtown core. I would like to offer a different perspective.
Downtown Victoria is growing. Over the next decade, many more people will live in, work in and visit our city core. Downtown’s success provides economic and cultural spinoffs throughout the region; even people who don’t live or work downtown benefit. Many of the new buildings will displace parking lots.
Downtowns are convenient and attractive because they are compact, diverse and pedestrian-oriented. Within a five-minute walk, people can find dozens of shops, restaurants, banks and professional offices with diverse styles and price ranges. For our downtown to prosper, it is essential to control automobile traffic, encourage space-efficient modes (walking, cycling and public transport) and efficiently manage parking through parking fees.
Parking fees are a user fee, not a tax. No parking is really free — the question is whether it should be funded directly (by users) or indirectly. Charging for parking is one of the few ways that our city can recover some of its substantial expenditures on roads and parking facilities from out-of-town visitors who do not pay taxes. Free parking downtown would be unfair to Victoria taxpayers, many of whom don’t drive and have lower incomes relative to the rest of the region. Their tax dollars should not be expected to subsidize vehicle parking.
Downtown Victoria has plenty of parking, about 11,000 spaces in total. Conflicts are over the most convenient, on-street parking spaces. Experts recommend that cities charge for these spaces during busy periods to encourage turnover, so they can serve a maximum number of users. This is more convenient to motorists: It ensures that you can virtually always find a parking space on every block.
The fact is, downtown Victoria cannot compete with the free and plentiful parking offered by Uptown or big-box stores in Langford. Rather than fighting a losing battle to entice car drivers to come downtown and shop when they can just as easily drive and get free parking elsewhere, why not entice the 100,000-plus residents who live within a seven-kilometre radius of downtown to come there via bus, bike or foot with good sidewalks and crossings, more bus service and protected bike lanes?
Reducing car travel is in everyone’s interests, including drivers. It frees up road space and reduces congestion, offers better health outcomes for those who choose to use active modes of transportation and creates a healthier environment for everyone.
Priced parking is not a zero-sum game. It is needed to ensure a vibrant and active downtown that everyone can enjoy.
Edward Pullman is clubs and events co-ordinator for the Camosun College Student Society, president of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition and president of the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association.
