Town hall meeting called to discuss downtown parking controversy
The Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association is organizing a town hall meeting for Thursday to clear the air following a contentious city council decision regarding parking passes.
This town hall is set to take place at the Mane Street Cafe and Lounge (626 Queen St. East) from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., according to Downtown Association executive director Nicholas Luck.
Luck told The Sault Star that anyone is free to attend this public forum, which will serve as an opportunity to go over the questions and concerns brought up during the June 24 city council meeting.
During this meeting, councillors allotted 90 parking passes to two downtown organizations despite some opposing voices from the public.
This crowd included former Sault mayor Joseph Fratesi, who accused the city of not properly consulting with downtown businesses before bringing this issue before council.
Rev. John Wilson of Westminster Presbyterian Church echoed Fratesi’s concerns, claiming that notice of this parking charge was sent to the address of a deceased member rather than to the church directly.
Wilson also expressed some anxiety about how the allocation of 90 parking passes will impact major events taking place at his church, such as weddings and funerals.
Council ultimately passed this parking allotment by a 5-4 margin. The same five councillors who voted in favour of this motion also opposed the idea of deferring this issue to a later date.
These 90 parking passes are being set aside for the District of Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation (SSMHC) and Mamaweswen, the North Shore Tribal Council.
SSMHC recently moved into a new building at 548 Albert Street East, while North Shore is planning to occupy the old social services building at 540 Albert, which forced council to consider this parking lot shuffle.
North Shore is hoping to staff the building at 540 Albert with 50 employees, including at least two physicians and several nurse practitioners, with the aim of providing primary care, mental health and addictions services in the Sault’s downtown core.
kdarbyson@postmedia.com
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Kyle Darbyson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Sault Star
