Put your vehicle in park, get out and walk because Dunlop Street could soon be closed to vehicular traffic.
During the city’s virtual general committee meeting on Monday night, councillors considered a report from staff which recommended “pedestrianizing” Dunlop Street between Mulcaster and Clapperton Streets from June 15 to Oct. 15 this year, to allow for a pedestrian and cyclists-only experience in Barrie’s downtown.
“Staff are confident pedestrianizing Dunlop Street will provide an opportunity for people to visit the downtown, explore the new streetscape, reacquaint themselves with the businesses and maintain physical distancing in the summer of 2020,” wrote Andrea Miller, the city's general manager of infrastructure and growth management, in her report to councillors.
“Staff are confident that the existing and planned detour routes will provide the travelling public and emergency service vehicles with safe and effective means of travel around this part of the downtown throughout the closure period,” she wrote.
The report estimates there will be a minimal financial impact as the city can use existing resources to complete the work.
As the stretch of Dunlop is currently under an accelerated construction schedule, the section of Dunlop Street between Mulcaster Street and Owen Street is tentatively scheduled to reopen in mid-June. The section between Owen Street and Clapperton Street is tentatively scheduled to reopen in mid-July.
According to the report, the timing of the pedestrianization initiative will be aligned to the completion of construction in each section.
Businesses in the downtown previously suggested to the city that a pedestrian-only approach might complement business recovery initiatives post-construction.
“There is also merit in providing additional physical distancing in this area of downtown now that the economy is gradually re-opening post COVID-19,” wrote Miller.
Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl asked if there was a plan for new bike racks to be added or if existing bike rack placement could be communicated to the public so cyclists can plan where to leave their bikes.
“We are still working out implementation plans. They are not specifically planned for at this point in time,” said Miller, adding she would report back if the project were to proceed.
Kungl also asked whether there would be individual bike lane dividers for safe interactions between users.
Miller applauded the suggestions and said she would take them back to staff should council decide to move forward.
Mayor Jeff Lehman referenced the lane-closure pilot project on Lakeshore Drive and said this project would be similar in that it would be a temporary pilot-project-type measure.
Councillors voted in favour of the motion unanimously. The decision will still need to be ratified at the next council meeting on Monday.
The Downtown BIA will also need to confirm support of the plan before implementation.
