Barrie's main street could be closed to vehicles for more than a dozen Saturdays this summer.
Councillors will consider a motion Monday night that Dunlop Street East, between Mulcaster and Clapperton streets, be for pedestrian-use only for 15 Saturdays from June 5 until Sept. 4, and on Saturday, Oct. 9. There would also be four Friday half-day closures, from noon onward, again on Dunlop East between Mulcaster and Clapperton, on July 2, July 30, Sept. 3 and Oct. 8.
Called Open Air Dunlop 2021, it would also involve closing Dunlop Street West between Bayfield and Toronto streets to vehicles on half of one Friday, July 2 and for four Saturdays on July 3, 10, 17 and 24.
Coun. Keenan Aylwin, who represents the downtown, said five blocks of a vehicle-free Dunlop Street could help businesses recover from the pandemic and be done safely.
“The pedestrianization of Dunlop Street is one critical way that we can safely support local small businesses during the summer,” he said. “This program is subject to Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit requirements to ensure the safety of downtown workers, residents and visitors.
“I’m hopeful that as vaccination rates increase, we will be able to fully enjoy the summer months in downtown Barrie,” Aylwin added. “The pedestrianization of Dunlop Street can help to facilitate physical distancing by providing more space than what’s provided on sidewalks.
“This program can help us re-imagine our streets as places for people instead of just for cars which will create a healthier, more vibrant downtown community,” he said. “I’m hopeful that the success of Open Air Dunlop will lead to a permanent pedestrian area in the future. Open Air Dunlop is a win for the environment, for peoples’ health and for local businesses.”
The Downtown BIA’s total budget for Open Air Dunlop 2021 is $118,502, which includes road closures, entertainment, advertising, signs, personal protective equipment (PPE) and some general supplies.
City council is being asked to contribute as much as $60,000 to support the 24 road closures during Open Air Dunlop, which would be funded from the reinvestment reserve.
The city’s operations department would also provide waste removal, clean-up, street sweeping and assist with over-road banners at Anne and Blake streets. All promotions would be tailored to meet health regulations and would not promote gathering.
The BIA is planning an event aligned with provincial COVID-19 restrictions and gathering limits. It also recognizes that the scope and type of programming to take place during Open Air Dunlop would be determined by local public health restrictions at the time, and the BIA would work with the city’s special events team to ensure protocols are adhered to.
With streetscaping construction along Dunlop Street completed, Open Air Dunlop could provide an opportunity to attract the community to the downtown to enjoy the new features of the street and to visit retailers.
The downtown Barrie patio season was to begin on April 1, but due to current provincial health restrictions restaurants are limited to take-out and delivery service only.
Open Air Dunlop would be one way to attract people back to the downtown once it’s safe to do so.
This event was also held on a smaller scale last summer, for five Saturdays, at a cost of almost $47,500. The city contributed $12,500 for the road closures.
If Barrie councillors approve Open Air Dunlop 2021, and the funding, it will be considered for final approval at the May 10 city council meeting.
