The head of an organization that represents local businesses in downtown Halifax says she is very disappointed that paid parking on Saturday’s is back on the table.

Halifax Council is looking into the idea as they tackle how to bring down a possible 10.9 per cent property tax hike while they discuss the budget.

Sue Uteck is the executive director of the Spring Garden Area Business Association, who tells us in an interview, that for local businesses it would be “one more nail in the coffin” in the perception that there is nowhere to park downtown.

“Am I going to go downtown to Spring Garden to shop and have to pay for parking when I can go to Bayers Lake or Dartmouth Crossing for free,” says Uteck.

She says the intent of it mars the spirit of going downtown for a fun event considering how much money families are already spending.

“Then to add parking is just an insult,” adds Uteck.

Businesses are also not taking the news well when they are already up against other notions.

“We fight the perception of, it’s unsafe to be here. So, you know, why would someone want to come and pay when I can park elsewhere,” explains Uteck.

Not fair

Saturday paid parking is only being considered for downtown Halifax and Dartmouth as well as the Spring Garden area.

Uteck says this is not fair and Council is only grabbing at low hanging fruit instead of looking at other options.

She says there is a parking benefit study currently underway, and they were waiting on those results but instead heard about this motion.

“Why don’t you look at if you want to expand into the suburban core parking fees? What about these empty parking lot services? Is there anyway we can generate a tax off of that,” says Uteck.

Next steps

Council will continue to look at the budget until sometime in March.

Uteck says she will be at council at every opportunity but doesn’t expect anything to be finalized until June.

“We will be lobbying hard right up until the final vote at Council not to make this happen.”