PORT COQUITLAM, BC - Dec. 4, 2023...Free underground parking will officially open today on McAllister Avenue between Shaughnessy and Maple Street in partnership with Samz Pub.
57 parking stalls have been created and will available for people who visit, shop and work at area businesses and City Hall. The City has been working to create new stalls, improve conditions and lighting and installing signs to raise awareness of parking options in the downtown with many more to come.
"We continue to improve parking options to increase the vibrancy of the downtown and strengthen the local economy by offering easier access to local businesses," Mayor Brad West said "By providing more free parking options, we are reducing barriers and adding a more positive experience for residents and visitors to visit downtown Port Coquitlam. We look forward to announcing more downtown parking options in the upcoming months, as we also create new spaces for shopping, dining and entertainment."
As the multi-year revitalization of the City's iconic downtown continues, proactive planning to address parking and other potential issues, and capital improvements intend to create a safe, welcoming and walkable hub where businesses thrive and people want to shop, live, work, socialize and celebrate.
In consultation with the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (PoCo BIA), the City continues to ensure timed street parking is available for their customers.
"Adding more free parking options to the downtown, enhances the overall downtown experience," said Cllr. Dean Washington, Council's designate for downtown matters. "It welcomes more downtown residents and visitors as they dine at local restaurants, shop at local businesses, access downtown services, and enjoy downtown events."
City Components and Activities
The downtown vision is being delivered in part through a series of updates to public spaces, informed by numerous plans, studies and public consultation. The upgrades to the McAllister Avenue streetscape was completed in 2022 to set the stage for other planned improvements, including:
- Veterans Park - construction was completed earlier this summer on a new open-plan design including new plazas, accessible pathways, seating and a prominent new cenotaph location
- Leigh Square -construction is well underway on an open-plan design including an expanded plaza, new seating decks, enhanced lighting, trees, a water feature and a new performance pavilion at the north end;
- Donald Pathway - extended between Wilson and McAllister Avenues including lighting and landscaping, to be completed in line with neighbouring work.
There are five municipal parking lots located in downtown Port Coquitlam.
Information about the downtown revitalization, parking options and more can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/downtown.
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Media Contact
Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email [email protected]