Downtown Association calls town hall meeting on parking controversy

A town hall-type public meeting on parking issues in downtown Sault Ste. Marie has been called for Thursday, July 4.

The meeting is being organized by the Downtown Association's parking committee.

It will take place from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at Mane Street Cafe and Lounge, 626 Queen St. East.

The parking issue burst into public consciousness this week when city council approved a bulk sale of 90 parking passes in the city-owned Spring-March and Brock-Albert lots.

The passes are assigned to North Shore Tribal Council and District of Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corp.

Sixteen of the passes, which allow parking on a first-come, first-serve basis, will be in the city-owned Spring-March lot.

The other 74 passes will be distributed to the Brock-Albert lot.

As SooToday reported last night, Mayor Matthew Shoemaker and most city councillors are denying allegations from Ward 4 Coun. Stephan Kinach that some council members were conversing on a group chat during the parking discussion at Monday's city council meeting.

The July 4 meeting will be open to the public and Downtown Association member businesses will be allowed to ask questions.