ALBURY'S Wilson Street multi-storey car park could be raised by another two levels under a plan floated on Wednesday night by the city's council engineering chief.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brad Ferris said increasing the height of the three-level car park was something being considered as part of the city's parking strategy.
A two-storey extension would add another 200 parks, with 100 on each floor.
Mr Ferris' comments came at a council forum to get feedback on a plan to introduce a pedestrian crossing in Swift Street between the walkway to the Wilson Street lot and the Albury Entertainment Centre.
Mayor Kevin Mack questioned whether another two tiers were needed at the Wilson Street car park when the SS&A lot was not full during working hours.
The council's group leader of engineering services Andrew Lawson told the forum that a crossing at that point was safety driven.
He said more than 100 pedestrians per hour cross between the walkway and QEII Square at peak times.
Mr Lawson noted in another four years an extra deck would be required for the car park.
Mr Ferris later added the possibility of two more levels were being considered if the geology supported them.
Councillor Henk van de Ven suggested the new crossing should match those in Dean Street and also raised the possibility of a loading zone near the library being converted to car parks to compensate for loss of bays.
Rooftop Media owner Hannah Nicholls, whose office is in Swift Street, said the loss of car parks for her was a "huge issue".
"For me I don't know where I'm going to park and to walk long distances with heavy gear is just not realistic," Ms Nicholls said.
Mr Ferris said he would speak to Roads and Maritime about the upgrade being a pedestrian crossing rather than just a refuge, but if it could not alter he wants construction to start by June 30.
He also said feedback would be sought from businesses on reducing the parking limit in Swift Street to one-hour to improve turnover of vehicles.