Downtown businesses oppose parking rate hike
More than 40 downtown businesses and property owners attended a public meeting on February 11 to express their concerns about the City of Brampton’s proposed Downtown Parking Strategy.
What drew the most criticism was the consultant’s recommendation to immediately increase the cost of an annual parking permit for employees from $280 to $440 – an increase of 57%. The consultant further recommended that rates continue to be increased by $110 per year for next six to eight years.
The primary reason for the rate increase is simply to generate increased revenue for the City’s parking operation, which currently operates at a deficit. However, a number of companies warned that they would seriously look at moving out of the downtown if the fees were increased too dramatically.
Richard Evans, president of CCV Insurance, told City staff that the cost of his firm’s 44 parking permits would increase from $12,000 to almost $30,000 in three years and to $53,000 in eight years. “That’s a strong motivation not to be here”, said Evans.
Rod Hendren from Hendren Appraisals recounted what happened back in the late 1990’s when parking rates went up significantly, resulting in office vacancy rates skyrocketing to 30%.
To counteract this situation, the City and the BDBA worked together to implement the highly successful ‘Three for Free’ parking promotion. However, a few years ago the Three for Free program was reduced to One Hour Free. And now the consultant is recommending that the one hour free be eliminated and replaced by a parking token program paid for by the businesses.
This is a big issue for the many businesses whose customers take advantage of the one hour of free parking. Brian Cyr, the owner of the Academy of Martial Arts on Main St. N. said they teach over 2000 students a week, whose parents typically park in the municipal garage behind their building for drop-offs and pickups. A token program would be unmanageable for them.
The cost and availability of parking is fundamental to the economic competitiveness of Downtown Brampton. The Parking Strategy needs to support the long term vision for a revitalized downtown and should not be driven by short term cost recovery objectives.
According to Andrew MacKenzie, Regional Director for Investors Group, exorbitant increases in parking rates “is a tipping point issue that could put us back years”.
A staff report with recommendations about the Downtown Parking Strategy is expected to be presented to Committee of Council on April 7, 2010.
Brampton Economic Development tops in the Province
The City of Brampton won three top honours at this year’s Ontario Economic Development Awards. The awards recognize municipalities for their efforts in promoting their communities as economic investment opportunities and for tourism.
The City of Brampton’s Economic Development Office was awarded top prize for its “Everything Brampton” Lure Brochure, and walked away as the winner for the Brampton Where? advertising campaign.
The City also was a finalist and received an Award of Merit for its City of Brampton Brand Development project.
More than 130 entries were judged by an expert panel. Submissions covered everything from promotional brochures to infrastructure development projects.
“I was so pleased and proud to be present at the awards ceremony to see our staff along with M5, our marketing agency of record, be selected among such a high caliber of competition,” said Regional Councillor Elaine Moore, Chair of the City’s Business Development and Marketing Advisory Team. “These awards acknowledge the City of Brampton’s effectiveness and leadership in our economic development efforts.”
EDCO is the country’s largest provincial economic development association that offers this program as well as professional development opportunities throughout the year. Membership is close to 600 that come from the private and public sector.
Jeffrey appointed to cabinet post
 Last month Premier Dalton McGuinty appointed Brampton Springdale’s Linda Jeffrey as Minister of Natural Resources.
As Minister of Natural Resources, Jeffrey will be working on two special initiatives over the next year – the Species at Risk Act and the Far North Act.
The Ministry also manages Ontario’s Crown land, promotes economic opportunities in the resource sectors, and enhances opportunities for outdoor recreation. More information is available at www.mnr.gov.on.ca.
“This will e an interesting and challenging portfolio and I am honoured to be given this opportunity/”
With her new responsibilities, Jeffrey and her Ministry staff will be travelling across the Province to meet with the many stakeholders. As the elected Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for the residents of
Brampton Springdale, her Constituency Office and staff in Brampton will continue to be available to help with local issues. Friday will remain “Constituency Day”. If you need assistance, call 905 495 8030.
Osler announces new President & CEO
 Matthew Anderson has been appointed President
and Chief Executive Officer of William Osler Health
System. Matt will commence his employment with
the organization April 5, 2010.
“After its extensive and full six-month international search, I am absolutely confident that the Board has selected the best possible person to lead us into the future,” said Osler Board Chair Duncan Glaholt.
“Matt is 100 per cent dedicated to our vision of designing health systems that serve our global community. His executive experience bringing together diverse teams of healthcare partners to create integrated, coordinated care delivery makes him an excellent choice.”
Anderson has had an impressive management career in the health sector. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer at the Toronto Central Local Health Integrated Network where he has served for the past two years.
Prior to joining the Toronto Central LHIN, Mr. Anderson was at the University Health network for ten years where he held the positions of Senior Vice President, Performance and Technology, Vice President and Chief Information Officer.
Anderson has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Brunswick as well as a Master of Health Science (Administration) from the University of Toronto.
“Matt has a proven record of planning for the healthcare needs of diverse communities and ensuring that all patients receive the highest quality and most timely care possible,” said Mr. Glaholt. “Matt understands the importance and benefits of providing an integrated health care system and will provide the necessary leadership to continue driving this vision forward.” |
