The City of Pembroke is offering free parking downtown for six months as part of a new pilot project. From November 1st to April 30th, residents will be able to park in downtown Pembroke for two hours at no cost. Councillor Brian Abdallah brought forward the motion at council on Tuesday night. Feedback will be provided to city staff to determine if the parking meters in this area will be phased out over the next several years. He says what’s good for business is good for the city.
Abdallah says the city makes roughly $48,000 a year from parking meters. Originally the request was for the pilot project to last a year. However council hesitated at the potential loss of revenue. During the pilot program, residents will be able to park for free along Pembroke Street West between MacKay Street and Hinks Street and all the roads that branch off.