Over the past decade, Kemptville’s downtown core (known as “Old Town Kemptville”) has continued to grow and thrive and offers a distinctly small-town/rural lifestyle and has seen a significant revival over the last few years. The Municipality of North Grenville, joined by business groups such as the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the North Grenville Chamber of Commerce – along with private investors – has brought to life historic buildings and public spaces. Downtown has become a destination and focal point for North Grenville’s art, cultural, and heritage amenities, all spanning our natural waterfront. The Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP), adopted by Council in 2021, recommended a parking study be completed in the downtown core, as residents and businesses have cited a lack of parking downtown as a concern. Parking is a key factor to ensure residents and visitors feel welcome, and ensure businesses can continue to grow and flourish, and maintain success.
The map shows what is considered as North Grenville’s downtown area.
The study will include observations and surveys of parking within the subject area, including quantitative and qualitative assessment of existing and forecasting future conditions. This study will serve to develop an understanding of parking utilization and identify periods of the highest parking demands and present a variety of options to effectively control and manage parking through time restrictions, private/public partnerships, et cetera. Consultation and engagement meetings (3 in total) will form part of the qualitative assessment.
Parking Study Implementation
The Parking Study conducted by WSP utilized parking inventory, use analysis, and stakeholder engagement to provide eight (8) recommendations to the Municipality to improve parking in Downtown Kemptville.
Council prioritized the Parking Study Recommendations, with an anticipated timeline of all recommendations being implemented within a two (2) year timeline. Staff will implement these recommendations in department work plans where appropriate.
The eight (8) recommendations include:
- Reserved Library Parking Spaces
- Repurpose Parking Spaces on Clothier Street
- Develop a Communications Plan
- Monitoring Plan
- Limited Overnight On-Street Winter Parking
- Active Transportation Improvements
- Accessible or Age-Friendly Parking Spaces
- Commercial Loading Zones on Prescott Street
Who's listening
Timeline
Parking Study RFP
April 24 - May 12, 2023
April 24 - May 12, 2023
Consultants Awarded Study
May 25, 2023
Business Advisory Committee Meeting (Virtual)
July 26, 2023
6:00pm to 7:30pm
July 26, 2023
Public Open House (Virtual)
August 10, 2023
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Presentation of Draft Study to Council
October 17, 2023
October 17, 2023
Parking Study Approval
Implementation of Study Recommendations
January 2024-January 2026
January 2024-January 2026
