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The decision to return to a pedestrian-only Bernard Avenue in the 200 and 300 blocks for the summer is a done deal. The question for Kelowna City Council is whether or not to extend it to the 500 block.
Last summer, the public response to the vehicle closures was great near the foot of Bernard Ave, but further along, it was less successful. The Downtown Kelowna Association hopes that efforts to 'animate' those blocks make it work for the summer of 2021.
City staff are recommending a major effort to bring those blocks to life with a program called 'Meet me on Bernard'.
The Downtown Association's Mark Burley said most merchants on those blocks are supportive of the idea.
"It's yes if that's what's going to happen," said Burley. "If it's going to be animated. If the city is going to put that forward and do that, then they're a yes."
He said efforts to bring those blocks alive last summer were adversely impacted by the pandemic and the related public health orders. "There was nothing there to attract people," he admitted. But he's excited about what may be coming this year.
"We can animate it with little parklets," said Burley. "We can have entertainment." The presentation that council will be considering includes big checkers or chess boards painted onto the street, table tennis, and even a colourful paint job for the big concrete barriers that are used to block traffic.
"And they are (the city) investing a significant amount of money to make it work this year," he said, "so we really can't compare what they're proposing this year to what they proposed last year."
The plan goes before council today (Monday) for consideration.
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