parking

Monday May 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday May 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Monday May 2, 2016 Get ready for Ôpop-upÕ patios on HamiltonÕs streets this summer Are HamiltonÕs commercial areas ready for Òpop-upÓ patios on parking lots? Hamilton politicians approved a motion at their April 27 council meeting requesting staff to examine a pilot program that would allow local businesses or BIAs to establish temporary, seasonal patios and seating areas using on-street parking spaces. The program would begin in 2016. ÒThis is very innovative and non-expensive for the taxpayer,Ó said Mountain councillor Donna Skelly who supported the idea. She said after the reconstruction of Concession Street last year, there are some businesses which would benefit from the extra business by allowing outdoor patios on the street. ÒThis is an opportunity for Concession Street,Ó said Skelly. Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead also supported the motion, introduced by Ward 3 councillor Matthew Green. But he wanted to allow patios for commercial areas that are not in a BIA. Whitehead also insisted that business owners who want to establish patios on the street have the proper insurance. After some squabbling among councillors, WhiteheadÕs amendment was approved by council. Although no councillor opposed the idea, staff will examine if having a patio on the street will impede traffic, impact parking revenues and pose a safety issue. BIAs that could look at the idea includes Stoney Creek, Concession Street, Ottawa Street, Lock Street, Waterdown, and Ancaster. So-called Òpop-upÓ patios have proved popular in New York City, Toronto, Orillia, and St. Catharines, where that cityÕs council approved it in 2012. A fee of $300 is charged to the business to cover the cost of parking. These patios canÕt serve liquor because of liquor laws involving public sidewalks, and businesses are not allowed to brand the place. Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the motion is another step to increase the ÒvitalityÓ to Hamilto

Get ready for ‘pop-up’ patios on Hamilton’s streets this summer

Are Hamilton’s commercial areas ready for “pop-up” patios on parking lots?

Hamilton politicians approved a motion at their April 27 council meeting requesting staff to examine a pilot program that would allow local businesses or BIAs to establish temporary, seasonal patios and seating areas using on-street parking spaces. The program would begin in 2016.

“This is very innovative and non-expensive for the taxpayer,” said Mountain councillor Donna Skelly who supported the idea.

She said after the reconstruction of Concession Street last year, there are some businesses which would benefit from the extra business by allowing outdoor patios on the street.

“This is an opportunity for Concession Street,” said Skelly.

Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead also supported the motion, introduced by Ward 3 councillor Matthew Green. But he wanted to allow patios for commercial areas that are not in a BIA. Whitehead also insisted that business owners who want to establish patios on the street have the proper insurance.

After some squabbling among councillors, Whitehead’s amendment was approved by council.

Although no councillor opposed the idea, staff will examine if having a patio on the street will impede traffic, impact parking revenues and pose a safety issue.

BIAs that could look at the idea includes Stoney Creek, Concession Street, Ottawa Street, Lock Street, Waterdown, and Ancaster.

So-called “pop-up” patios have proved popular in New York City, Toronto, Orillia, and St. Catharines, where that city’s council approved it in 2012. A fee of $300 is charged to the business to cover the cost of parking.

These patios can’t serve liquor because of liquor laws involving public sidewalks, and businesses are not allowed to brand the place.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the motion is another step to increase the “vitality” to Hamilton’s streets. Another barrier that restaurants have that council should consider lifting is the city has banned music being played in patios. He compared the patio music bylaw to the city’s ban on tobogganing. Council this winter season allowed tobogganing in certain areas of the city for the first time. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Thursday July 3, 2014

Thursday July 3, 2014By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 3, 2014

Hamilton hospital parking will cost you up to $25 a day

For SaleHospital parking is up to $25 a day after both Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare raised their rates.

“It’s a bit rich,” said cancer patient Lionel Morton, who travels from Welland to Hamilton for treatment between two and four days a month and already thought the fees were a “ripoff.”

“They know they have a captive audience,” he says. “It’s not right.”

The price jumped by up to 25 per cent at the acute care hospitals, which are struggling with deficits and aging parking structures.

“We understand that represents hardship for some of our patients and we’re sensitive to that,” said Heather Pullen, spokesperson for HHS. “It’s a decision we make very carefully and we try not to do very often. But the cost of every aspect of our business rises all the time. … It’s a difficult choice, but it’s one we feel we have to make.”

For most of the acute care hospitals, the daily maximum is now $20 after being $15 for the last five years. Premium parking off Charlton Avenue at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the emergency lot at McMaster Children’s Hospital is $25, up from $20. The prices changed June 16 at HHS and April 1 at St. Joseph’s.

The rate for 30 minutes or less remains the same at $3.50 for the acute care hospitals.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal urged hospitals in 2011 to scrap paid parking, calling them “a user fee in disguise.”

“Parking fees are a barrier to health care and add avoidable stress to patients who have enough to deal with,” stated the editorial by Dr. Rajendra Kale, the editor-in-chief at the time.
However, the Ontario Hospital Association rejected that call, saying hospitals rely on parking for at least one per cent of their revenue.

“Every year, St. Joe’s, like many hospitals, face the continued pressure of bridging a gap between our annual funding provided by the Ministry of Health and our operating pressures like increased hydro bills or medical supplies,” said spokesperson Megan Bieksa. “One of the ways we generate revenue is through parking.”

St. Joseph’s needs to make up about $12 million to balance its $600-million budget for the fiscal year that started April 1. HHS has to find $25 million to keep its $1.2-billion budget in the black. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

SOCIAL MEDIA

Friday December 23, 2011

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday December 23, 2011 The Last-Minute Club According to the BMO Holiday Spending Survey, fewer Canadians are waiting until the last minute to cross names off of their holiday shopping list, with the majority planning their shopping weeks or months in advance (44 per cent and 37 per cent respectively). However, one-in-ten (11 per cent) still don't begin their holiday shopping until the last minute, leaving themselves only a few days to wrap up their gift giving. "With Canadian families balancing busier schedules more than ever before, it's no surprise that a few shoppers will be rushing around at the last-minute. However, this last-minute rush can often cause people to make impulse decisions and sometimes over-spend extend themselves on gift buying," said Su McVey, Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal. "Planning ahead and establishing a budget early on to cap and track holiday spending can help avoid last-minute spending pitfalls." Ms. McVey added that online banking features, including tools such as BMO MoneyLogic(TM), allow Canadians to set spending limits and get immediate insights into whether or not they are staying on track. So as Canada's last-minute shoppers rush to cross names off their shopping lists, BMO Bank of Montreal offers the following Do's and Don'ts for the frantic, time-crunched holiday shopper: Don't Panic - You still have time to get everything done. Keep your shopping list handy at all times and try to pick up one or two items when you can - either during your lunch hour or after work. A call ahead to the retailer can confirm whether or not your item is in stock. Ask them to hold it for you so you can get in and out of the store quickly. (Source: Marketwatch) Christmas, shopping, parking, mall, consumers, commerce, shoppers, eve

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 23, 2011

The Last-Minute Club

According to the BMO Holiday Spending Survey, fewer Canadians are waiting until the last minute to cross names off of their holiday shopping list, with the majority planning their shopping weeks or months in advance (44 per cent and 37 per cent respectively).
However, one-in-ten (11 per cent) still don’t begin their holiday shopping until the last minute, leaving themselves only a few days to wrap up their gift giving.

“With Canadian families balancing busier schedules more than ever before, it’s no surprise that a few shoppers will be rushing around at the last-minute. However, this last-minute rush can often cause people to make impulse decisions and sometimes over-spend extend themselves on gift buying,” said Su McVey, Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal. “Planning ahead and establishing a budget early on to cap and track holiday spending can help avoid last-minute spending pitfalls.”

Ms. McVey added that online banking features, including tools such as BMO MoneyLogic(TM), allow Canadians to set spending limits and get immediate insights into whether or not they are staying on track.

So as Canada’s last-minute shoppers rush to cross names off their shopping lists, BMO Bank of Montreal offers the following Do’s and Don’ts for the frantic, time-crunched holiday shopper:

Don’t Panic – You still have time to get everything done. Keep your shopping list handy at all times and try to pick up one or two items when you can – either during your lunch hour or after work. A call ahead to the retailer can confirm whether or not your item is in stock. Ask them to hold it for you so you can get in and out of the store quickly. (Source: Marketwatch)