However, there is no guarantee the measures - including changing nearby parallel parks to angle parking to create more capacity - will be in place before the closure goes ahead.
The move came after the council announced earlier this month the popular all-day commuter car park - with space for up to 300 vehicles - would be unavailable for about two months when work began on the latest link in the city's cycle network.
Work on the cycleway extension, connecting the central city to the West Harbour shared path, was expected to start at short notice, sometime within the next two months, and take up to eight weeks to complete.
The car park would be closed for the duration as it needed to be reconfigured to accommodate the cycle lane.
At the time, council transport group manager Richard Saunders said there were no plans for alternative arrangements, and motorists were advised to "take the chance" to try other transport options.
That prompted public criticism, including a letter to the editor yesterday suggesting the council should keep the car park at least partly open during the cycleway work.
Yesterday, council city services general manager Sandy Graham said the idea of allowing sections of the car park to remain open had been investigated, but ruled out.
It was impractical to manage construction and temporary use at the same time, and would have extended the duration of the work and added "significant cost".
"We have decided to close the whole car park so the work can be completed as fast and economically as possible and limit duration of the work and its impact on car park users."
The council was looking at options to boost the number of parks in the surrounding area.
Whether those changes could be put in place in time for the temporary closure, which would have to start at short notice, was yet to be confirmed, she said.
The work, once finished, would result in "positive benefits" for usersMs Graham said.
Drainage will be improved and the surface sealed, after which angle parks would be marked and safer entrances and exits created, she said.
A designated camper van parking area would also be established at the northeastern end.
However, she could not say yesterday whether the maximum vehicle occupancy would be reduced.
Related Stories
Comments
So someone has decided to do the job they are paid by Dunedin residence to do. Instead of inflicting their half bake ideology on us.
Dunedin people here is a good example of the people of Dunedin starting to stand up and hold staff the DCC who make decisions accountable that are crap. Make this the start of an ongoing reaction when you guys don't like what they do. Bullies always back down when confronted and shown in a bad light. The only reason Saunders has backed down is because he was shown up by you people. The start of a good result for the people who use that car park. Please let this be the bench mark for problems like this and hold them accountable.