J.D. Irving Ltd. looks for hundreds of new uptown parking spaces

J.D. Irving Ltd. is in talks with the City of Saint John to create hundreds of new parking spaces near the company's uptown headquarters.

About 750 people work at the company's corporate offices at 300 Union St.

JDI spokesperson Mary Keith says that represents a 20 per cent increase over the past three years.

"Parking is currently spread out over 16 locations with some employees walking more than [a] kilometre," said Keith.

"This is a challenge especially during winter months."

City goes after illegal lots

Parking availability has tightened over the past year following a city crackdown on unregistered parking lots, and some new construction on land that had been used for parking.

But the online monthly parking space map maintained by the Saint John Parking Commission still shows more than 400 spots available in the area between City Road and Queen Street.

With construction underway on the Irving Oil headquarters building just a couple of blocks away from J.D. Irving Ltd. that may change.

The building will be home to 1,000 employees.

"We are currently in discussion with the city about resolving this matter," said Keith, adding thatthe company does not want the issue to become "a recruitment or retention problem."

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Saint John Mayor Don Darling and Ward 1 councillors Donna Reardon and Gerry Lowe recently met with representatives of JDI to discuss the matter.

"They have a problem and they're trying to solve it," said Lowe, who suggested a new parking garage might be the solution. "We've suggested that, and they've talked a little bit about it."

In 2015 Saint John council deeded a block of Elliot Row to J.D. Irving.

The company had plans at that time to close the street to traffic to create a 130-space parking lot.

To date no construction has taken place.

Uptown group sees options

Uptown Saint John executive director, Nancy Tissingtonsaid she hopes other potential solutions are also being considered to deal with the parking issue.

"I think it's more that just looking at building parkades and building parking lots," Tissington said. "I think it's looking at the picture a little more holistically."

Tissington said improved public transit to the uptown or a shuttle that continuously loops past existing central peninsula parking areas might be a simpler way to get workers to their offices.

She's not opposed to a parkade.

"Of course we want to get those employers in the uptown," said Tissington. "I think there's a good balance, if we build it right."