A pedestrian street in Germany, in a typical city, showing an active regional downtown economy, contrasting with southern european countries, where traditional street shopping struggles in these crisis times (Photo 24850648 © photo360 | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

Destination 2900

One block of 30th Avenue to be closed for the summer

Jun 14, 2021 | 7:31 PM

Vernon council has voted to close the 2900 block of 30th Avenue from July 1 to September 7, as a test run for a pedestrian-only street that has been all the rave in other B.C. communities.

The move follows survey work by the Downtown Vernon Association (DVA) to see what the mood was for a part closure, full closure or additional work on options for the downtown.

DVA director and ‘The Med’ restaurateur James Fradley reported that the opinion was sharply split between the 2900 and 3000 blocks of 30th Avenue.

“What it eventually came down to, was a tale of two blocks,” Fradley said.

There was 85 per cent support in the 2900 block for a full road closure, and only 38 per cent support in the 3000 block.

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“Ideas from those various businesses that sit on the 2900 block are really quite exciting here. People have come up with a broad swath of potential attraction elements,” Fradley said.

Coun. Brian Quiring wanted to know an exact cost and where the source of funds would be coming from.

“It has cost $150,000 to $200,000 per block based on information we have had from other downtown associations,” DVA Executive Director Susan Lehman told council.

An amendment to Coun. Dalvir Nahal’s initial motion from Coun. Scott Anderson, to put a $50,000 cap, was accepted.

Staff will bring back costing to a previously scheduled special meeting on June 21.

Coun. Scott Anderson and Coun. Akbal Mund both indicated they would like to see a long term plan where the entire length of 30th Avenue in the downtown would become a pedestrian mall.

Coun. Kari Gares noted there would still need to be access for emergency vehicles, so the placement of concrete barriers at either end of the block likely wouldn’t be acceptable.

The cost of security was also brought forward as a potential issue.