Parking Downtown To Cost More
Press Release
As recommended by the Downtown Orillia Management Board (DOMB) and the Parking Advisory Committee (PAC), new parking rates will take effect in the downtown beginning May 1, 2023.
As part of the 2024 budget process, the DOMB and PAC were requested by Council to provide an assessment of the current on-street metered parking rates, off-street pay-and-display parking rates, and off-street permit parking rates in conjunction with City staff. As a result, on April 17, 2023, a recommendation was put forward to implement a demand-based pricing structure, which was approved by Council.
These rates take effect May 1, 2023:
- High Demand: $3 per hour Mississaga Street East West Street North West Street South
- Low Demand: $1.75 per hour Mississaga Street West All downtown side streets with metered parking
New pay-and-display and monthly permit rates parking rates take effect June 1, 2023:
- High Demand: $1.25 per hour Municipal Pay-and-Display Parking Lots 2 (behind Mariposa Market) and 5 (opposite Brewery Bay)
- Low Demand: $1 per hour All other Municipal Pay-and-Display Parking Lots
- High Demand Monthly: $70 per month Municipal Parking Lots 1 (Colborne at West) and 7 (Andrew Street)
- Low Demand Monthly: $60 per month Municipal Parking Lot 11 (adjacent to Lot 5)
- Low Demand Monthly: $55 per month Municipal Parking Lots 3, 6 and 14
“Our downtown is an exciting and busy place to visit with a great mix of retail, restaurants, services, and the arts. One of the biggest challenges we are facing is that of sufficient curb parking availability throughout central parts of our downtown,” said Michael Fredson, DOMB chair. “Demand-based pricing that the City is implementing will help by encouraging people to spread parking throughout the downtown. This solution also provides the least overall impact by only increasing 13% of the parking spaces by more than $0.25. The majority of the parking lot spaces will remain at $1 per hour. Together the DOMB, the City, and the Parking Advisory Committee consider this demand-based pricing a solution to improve the serviceability of parking in Downtown Orillia.”
The City of Orillia’s downtown has almost 700 parking spaces available at 12 municipal parking lots and on-street parking. Depending on the location, residents and visitors can pay by coin or with credit card. The Passport Parking mobile application is accepted at all locations to pay, extend, and manage parking costs conveniently and is available to download from all major app stores.
Find more information about parking in the City of Orillia online, visit the City’s website or call the legislative services division at 705-325-2313.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia)
