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Downtown has 34 empty shops continued from p.8 Plewman said 99 per cent of BIA members favour the proposal and asked that council consider three hours of free parking on downtown streets and lots before it starts charging visitors. "It has been brought up today -- is parking a miracle cure? No, I don't think it is, but chemo isn't a miracle cure for cancer either and people still do it because it's one part of a potential cure," she said. Plewman continued, offering free parking in the downtown area is one of many necessary steps she believes needs to take place to keep downtown Oakville competitive in an changing retail landscape and to curb the impact felt by the Lakeshore Road reconstruction, which is scheduled for 2016 and 2017. Canadian Sound owner Nick Bourikas, who is also chair of the Downtown Oakville BIA, echoed Plewman's remarks, sharing with councillors that, as it stands today, there are approximately 34 empty downtown stores. That, he said, is approximately a 17-percent vacancy rate amounting to about $1.5 million in tax revenue the Town is losing each year that these stores remain closed. "Business closures today are just a tip of the iceberg," he said. Although Bourikas said he doesn't think parking alone will turn downtown Oakville's situation around, he said it should be part of a multi-faceted approach. "I think it goes a long way to help and sends a strong message to the business community and citizens of Oakville that the mayor and Town council care and are taking the necessary steps to prevent a tragedy," he said. But not everyone felt free parking is the answer to downtown Oakville's woes. The Crepe Kitchen owner Eduardo Siles said he thinks free parking would be abused if it were in place. Rather than offer free parking, he said there should be more events downtown to attract more people to the area. Some councillors also expressed concern free parking could be abused if it were to be offered throughout the week. A related staff report cites although some believe the best way to attract shoppers and visitors is to provide free parking, more often it results in greater parking challenges. Using the example of a 1997 free parking program on Saturdays that was implemented in the downtown area briefly, the report stated the program was discontinued primarily because people were parking all-day in prime locations. The Town operates 1,384 commercial parking spaces in addition to approximately 806 private parking spaces downtown. In Kerr Village, the Town has 231 parking spaces in addition to 1,818 private parking spaces. Parking is free in Bronte Village. CREATE YOUR DREAM h t a B r o n e Kitch 15 | Friday, May 30, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com with any new kitchen purchased from June 1-30/14. Some restrictions apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer. FREE Installation 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE | QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP | CUSTOM DESIGNS Call for a Free Estimate 905-844-3332 www.aromakitchens.ca Visit our showroom: 333 Wyecroft Rd. Unit 3, Oakville Ugly seams on your pool's floor? For as little as Not with POOL LINERS $999* · Exclusive Ultra-SeamTM vinyl liner process makes floor seams stronger and virtually invisible! · Choose from dozens of beautiful designer patterns · Perfect for new pools and replacement liners · Costs no more than an ordinary vinyl liner! For a pool with seamless beauty! Find an Ultra-SeamTM dealer: ultra-seam.ca * Based on a 12'x 24' inground pool liner w/o installation - taxes extra