Pilot project to test drive angle parking in Exchange District

Angle parking making a comeback in Winnipeg Jeff Keele has details on the pilot project bringing angled parking to the Exchange District.

You could call it a backup plan or a new angle on parking in Winnipeg.

Driver Jennifer Nichols said Thursday she was lucky she found a parking spot on the street in the Exchange District because parking is limited in the trendy neighbourhood.

"I didn't have to drive around and around today,” she said. “It can be frustrating, especially when I'm on my way to work and running late."

With a condemned Civic Centre Parkade, more people moving into the area and going there to play, the city is trying a new way to drive more parking spots to the district.

On Monday, parking on Bannatyne Avenue between Waterfront Drive and Rorie Street will be transformed from parallel to angle parking. The eight-month pilot project will create an additional 10 stalls.

"Because you can fit more vehicles in, in the angle parking,” said Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert).

“You know, I have to laugh. I grew up in the country and all these small towns, it was angle parking."

Lukes said if the pilot project is successful, angle parking could be expanded beyond Bannatyne Avenue.

A couple of blocks away, Blue Moon Furniture owner Sylvia Bock said when big events like the Winnipeg Fringe Festival are on, her customers struggle to find parking and that impacts business. She supports the angle parking plan.

"It's not just a fear, it's a reality,” Bock said.

“We have issues with our clients who don’t want to come down here because there are parking issues."

To pull this off, Bannatyne will be converted to a one-way in the westbound direction. Drivers will have to practice their reverse skills, too. They’ll have to back into their spots so they don’t back into traffic when they’re leaving.

"I would be fine with that. My wife, not so much...she doesn't like going in reverse," said driver Jonathan Murphy

Jennifer Nichols said it wouldn’t be a problem for her.

"Once you get used to how you're parking, you just get good at it,” Nichols said.

Drivers can provide feedback through a survey between Monday and Sept. 25.