Pedestrian mall gets support
While most downtown business owners like the idea of a pedestrian mall, there’s no firm agreement on how to go about doing it.
The city presented businesses with two options.
Both options would close portions of downtown to vehicles as a way to encourage people to view the downtown area as a destination this summer, provide more space for physical distancing and help businesses welcome more people by expanding onto the street.
The first option would see portions of Water Street (from Bishop’s Cove to Prescott Street) and Duckworth Street (from Cathedral Street to King’s Road) closed for three consecutive weeks in July, from July 3-26.
The second option would close the same portions of Water Street and Duckworth Street every weekend in July and August.
In both options, allowance will be made to permit deliveries and access to businesses during certain times. As well, access to parking garages and emergency access will be maintained, according to city documents.
Results of a survey of the downtown businesses by MQO Research show 80 per cent of respondents support the pedestrian mall options as presented in the survey.
Twenty per cent were not in favour of the idea, but of that 20 per cent, 38 per cent suggested that changes to the options would garner their support for the pilot project. Some suggestions included extending the timeframe, decreasing the size of the project area and moving the pilot project to next year.
Of those who supported the project, 43 per cent supported both options, 21 per cent preferred the second option (Friday to Sunday for July and August), and 15 per cent preferred the first option (July 3-26).
Downtown St. John’s business commission chair Byron Murphy said in a news release on Tuesday that what’s missing is a resounding majority for one particular option over another.
He said the Downtown St. John’s board recommends further consultation with its members to help identify a clear majority for either option.
Downtown St. John’s recommends the city continue to develop the plan, including communication with businesses on how concerns will be mitigated.
“Should the City of St. John’s seek clarification from the businesses on which option they prefer, Downtown St. John’s can assist with further consultations with the membership to help identify a clear majority,” reads a statement on the Downtown St. John’s website.