ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Beginning July 3 and continuing until Sept. 7, a portion of Water Street will be open to pedestrians only, a move the city hopes will spur downtown business while helping people maintain physical distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Water Street closed to vehicular traffic from Bishop’s Cove to Job’s Cove from noon to 10 p.m. daily, businesses can spread out onto the street. Coun. Debbie Hanlon said this will be particularly beneficial for restaurants that have to operate at half capacity, helping them increase the number of guests they can seat.
A city news release says allowance will be made to permit deliveries as well as access to businesses until noon. Outside that time, delivery drivers will have designated parking in the coves between Water Street and Harbour Drive.
Accessible parking spaces will also be marked on Water Street off Clift’s Baird’s Cove, Ayre’s Cove and Bishop’s Cove.
The city said there is visitor parking available on Duckworth Street, Water Street and Harbour Drive, as well as the adjacent coves near the pedestrian mall area. There are also nearby parking garages.
“If it’s any indication from the overwhelmingly positive support from the public, then it should be successful,” said Hanlon.
“Businesses are very cautious. Some are excited about it, others are very cautious about it because we have a full gamut down there, and it’s very diverse, their interests, so of course … they’re cautious because we are now doing something that will directly impact their business. We’re betting that it will directly impact them positively.
“If it’s any indication from the overwhelmingly positive support from the public, then it should be successful." — Coun. Debbie Hanlon
“We do have concerns from some of the business owners down there, but we’re going to deal with them one on one and try to alleviate their concerns.”
More consultation
On Tuesday, one day before the city announced details of the pedestrian mall, Downtown St. John’s issued a news release suggesting further consultation be done with businesses.
Downtown St. John’s business improvement area chair Byron Murphy, who also owns Byron’s Clothing for Men, said there are concerns among members that the city asked for feedback from businesses on two options for the pedestrian mall, but then chose an entirely different option.
Downtown St. John’s paid to have a survey completed by an outside company, gathering input from businesses about their thoughts on two options that were presented by the city.
"Why have they put that option forward which was something that no one saw coming?” — Byron Murphy
The first option would close portions of Water Street (from Bishop’s Cove to Prescott Street) and Duckworth Street (from Cathedral Street to King’s Road) 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.
After businesses provided their input, the city instead chose to close only portions of Water Street for two consecutive months.
“It’s disappointing,” said Murphy.
“The resounding thing that I’ve heard ... just standing out by my front door in front of my business today, and phone calls just from people down here, (who are) basically disturbed to the fact that option was not in the process, and why have they put that option forward which was something that no one saw coming?”
He said there’s support among downtown businesses for the pedestrian mall — the survey found 80 per cent supported the idea overall, but there wasn’t a clear favourite option — but it begs the question of whether the survey results would be different if the city included the plan it decided on in the survey.
“People are definitely, definitely concerned. It’s not like we don’t want it. It’s not like these people are concerned about not wanting it. It’s just the fact of the matter of why did all this process be put in place, and money spent, and things done, when this was coming anyway?”
In any case, Murphy said he is hopeful the idea will benefit downtown businesses and that they can have a prosperous summer to help them recover from a challenging year so far.
'Absolutely heard'
Hanlon, who is council's representative on the Downtown St. John’s board, thanked Downtown St. John’s for surveying its members on the options presented by the city. She said the final decision to implement the pedestrian mall for two months on Water Street was informed by the results of the survey, as well as emails and conversations with business owners.
“Their concerns were absolutely heard, and their concerns were absolutely taken into consideration. And as we all know, we can’t please everyone. But we try.
“So, if there’s a particular business that is absolutely impacted negatively, or feels something should be done, then we’re going to work with them. This is a first step, and patience … and a leap of faith is required.
“And we all have to work together as a community to support local, and to support downtown, because they need us now more than they’ve ever needed us.”
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