The Town of Drumheller has purchased three parcels of land in downtown Drumheller for $210,000 in hopes to provide more parking for visitors and residents.
Town Council agreed unanimously at a regular council meeting on Tuesday, August 4 to purchase 350, 1st Street West, 340, 1st Street West and a portion of Lot 11 at 349 1st Street West. Currently Lou’s Upholstery, Dons Shoe Repair, Acute barbershop and One Stop Paint Shop are on these properties.
“There are many benefits to this purchase,” said Drumheller CAO Ray Romanetz. “All of the lots are strategically located so there will be easy access to parking for residents and tourists in the downtown area. This will also provide a good start to downtown revitalization.”
The two new parking lots created will be in addition to eight other parking lots in the downtown district and will add about 50 spaces. According to a release, the decision to purchase the lands to create more parking came out of working with iTrans Consulting on options to provide solutions to improve traffic flow.
Each of the proposals presented to improve the flow included the elimination of parking.
“At the public meetings, our citizens and business owners expressed the need for easy access to their stores, better traffic flow and no loss of parking,” said mayor Bryce Nimmo. “By purchasing these lots, we will be in a better position to deal with those concerns, and more importantly address the safety issues of traffic congestion.”
The town expects to have the parking lots completed in 2010.
