If you find yourself driving around downtown Newmarket trying to find parking spot, a new option is opening up to you soon.
The Town of Newmarket is planning to add more parking on Church Street next month, with council tentatively approving it April 29.
Parking will be allowed on the street all day on Church between Botsford Street and Eagle Street, with a two-hour maximum. Beyond Botsford, parking will also be available on weekday evenings and Saturdays from the east side of Church from Park Avenue to Botsford.
Previously, parking on Church was limited to Sundays.
Ward 5 Councillor Bob Kwapis said it stands to provide some relief to the parking issue in the downtown core, particularly with upcoming events, including the opening of the Postmark Hotel, that draw residents and visitors to the downtown.
The town is now constructing a new parking facility at the site of the recently ousted tennis club on Doug Duncan Drive, but that is not expected to be ready until 2025.
Under the new rules, the town will also be maintaining no parking on the east side of Church from Millard Avenue to Park. Kwapis said that is due to construction in the area.
Commissioner of development and infrastructure Peter Noehammer said they hope to install signage in May.
“We’re hopeful that through this initiative there will be more parking available, particularly (during) peak periods and busy times of Main Street downtown.”
Staff said parking on Church would be reviewed once the new structure is completed in 2025.
The town also plans to consider traffic calming measures on the street, which could include urban shoulders or on-street bollards.
Council will still need to finalize the direction at a future meeting.
