[spaustin]

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

That's the problem though, everyone including merchants, seem to expect a lot of cheap on-street parking, which as you point isn't going to happen on Spring Garden Road.

I think what this area, and downtown in general needs, is a way to communicate to drivers which lots are free. In Montreal they have electronic signs throughout the downtown that tell you how many spots are left in each parkade. I'm sure if this system were setup someone could make an app which would supply people the same information to a blackberry or iphone. I also think the rates for onstreet parking should be reviewed. Can you still park for free after six? If so this just encourages people to cruise around looking for a hard to find free meter instead of going directly to an underused parkade. Free parking on weekends and evenings doesn't make sense in this area anymore, there is too much demand at those times.

As for the development I can't see council shooting this down.

Yep, it's still free after 6:00 and on weekends.