(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)
June 24, 2020 - 11:58 AM
It's a sign that life is gradually getting back to normal as the City of Vernon reintroduces paid on-street parking.
As of July 2, drivers will have to pay to park on the Vernon's downtown streets.
The City stopped enforcing paid parking at the beginning of April, in the hope, it would encourage people to utilize the few downtown businesses that remained open during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a media release from the City, businesses have started to reopen, and traffic volumes and short-term parking needs have increased.
READ MORE: COVID-19 sees Vernon scrap utility bill interest, downtown parking meter enforcement
The resumption of paid on-street parking meters limits vehicles to a maximum two-hour stay and helps more vehicle movement increasing parking access for residents and visitors to the downtown core.
The City had projected $953,000 in revenue from paid parking prior to the pandemic. In April council approved spending $225,000 replacing hundreds of vandalized parking meters.
On-street parking in Vernon costs $1 an hour for a maximum of two hours, while City-owned parking lots charge 50 cents-an-hour or $4 all-day.
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