Vancouver city councillor proposes free parking in Chinatown to entice people back
CTV
A Vancouver city councillor is hoping free parking will entice people back to Chinatown.
A Vancouver city councillor is hoping free parking will entice people back to Chinatown.
The area is reeling from impacts of the pandemic and ongoing street disorder, including arson, vandalism and other crime. Last month, the neighbourhood’s business improvement association revealed it’s spending half its budget on security to restore a sense of safety for visitors and shop owners.
A motion by Councillor Melissa De Genova is on the agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting. It proposes offering free street parking for up to three hours in Chinatown on Sundays. If approved, the pilot program would run from May 2022 to May 2023.
“It’s an incentive to bring people into Chinatown and help to deter some of that crime and violence (through bigger crowds),” De Genova said. “Free parking on Sundays in Chinatown is a small measure the city can take immediately to revitalize Chinatown.”
Jordan Eng, president of the Chinatown BIA, said the plan is a “great idea,” but needs to be expanded.
“Sunday we’re busy in Chinatown, we really need people coming down here every day of the week,” Eng said.
Lorraine Lowe, executive director of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, also supports the plan, with a caveat.
