City looks into providing better parking for RotaryFest

It won't happen in time to help this week's RotaryFest, but Sault Ste. Marie City Council agreed tonight to investigate the possibility of making better use of municipal parking lots near Ken Danby Way and Lions Place.

"Every time I'm at RotaryFest I think how illogical the layout of these two parking lots are," Ward 3 Coun. Matthew Shoemaker told City Council.

Shoemaker said he didn't realize until recently that the gravel lot near Bay Tower and Lions Place is municipally owned.

"I think there's a better way to use these two piece of property to ease the flow of pedestrians and park users through this area," he said.

The following is the full text of the resolution approved by City Council tonight: 

City parking lots at Ken Danby Way and Russ Ramsay Way

Mover: Councillor M. Shoemaker
Seconder: Councillor L. Dufour

Whereas the City of Sault Ste. Marie owns the parking lot at Clergue Park bordering Ken Danby Way; and

Whereas the City of Sault Ste. Marie also owns the large gravel lot immediately south of the Bay Tower and Lions Place; and

Whereas both parking lots are used to varying degrees by residents using Clergue Park, the skating trail, and vendors during Rotaryfest; and

Whereas a more cohesive layout could allow for greater accessibility, a beautification of the area, and more logical use of the space; now

Therefore be it resolved that staff review the layout and use of both parking lots and bring forward recommendations on optimizing the property for future use.