With the exception of special events, there will be no road closures for an expanded patio program in downtown this summer, or likely two to follow.
In a unanimous vote on Monday evening, city council’s committee of the whole opted not to shut down the intersection of Wyndham and Macdonell streets as happened last year, though the concept had some supporters around the virtual horseshoe.
“Our job is to create a balanced playing field for all businesses,” commented Coun. Leanne Caron, referring to several business operators who say they were hurt by the closure while a handful of businesses profited. “Fairness means something to me.”
The program, if formally ratified by council later this month, would see businesses of all sorts, not just restaurants, be able to apply for permission to set up a seasonal patio on private property, public sidewalks and in on-street parking spaces, but not spill out onto the street.
This, noted staff, will allow for transit to keep moving on its usual route – something several delegates spoke in support of.
“We can’t repeat last year because there was so much frustration,” said Steven Petric, co-founder of the Transit Action Alliance of Guelph, pointing to delays caused by rerouting around the closed intersection that led to many missed connections for people transferring busses. “We need to keep transit moving. … People are coming back to transit.”
However, street closures may be approved for special events, and not just at Macdonell and Wyndham streets. In these cases, city staff noted, all associated costs, including for the temporary rerouting of transit, would be covered by the applicant and not taxpayers, as formalized closures would have.
In approving the program, the committee agreed to pay an estimated $112,500 in 2021 to cover the purchase of barriers to be placed between patios and open traffic.
“I am very disappointed,” commented Mayor Cam Guthrie, who supported the approved council motion, as well as two previous ones that unsuccessfully sought road closures. “I think a lot of people are going to be upset.
“I do believe the closed streets will draw people downtown.”
Guthrie and Coun. Dan Gibson voted in favour of a motion from Coun. Rodrigo Goller that would have seen the intersection of Macdonell and Wyndham streets closed from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving Day weekend, with a portion of the road included in patio areas.
That motion failed 10-3.
“I think that it really gets us away … from having traffic next to diners,” Goller said, explaining he was inspired to bring the motion forward after hearing “overwhelming support” from constituents. “I feel that this gives us a greater opportunity to have a pilot (program) that gets us closer to … having a walkable downtown.”
Several delegates spoke in favour of this option, including Colton Proveau of Brothers Brewing Company.
“The parking stalls just don’t create enough space,” he told council, explaining last summer Brothers Brewing had 17 tables with 102 seats but without road closures they’ll have nine tables “at best” with 36 seats. “Please close the streets this year, at the very least on weekends.”
“It created safer and more enjoyable space in our core,” added Mike Darmon of the Guelph Coalition for Active Transit of last summer’s intersection closure. “The car drivers are using our downtown as a shortcut. They’re most likely not stopping and most likely not shopping.”
Council also shot down the idea of closing roads on weekends and holidays, as moved by Gibson. Though that concept attracted the additional support of councillors Cathy Downer and James Gordon, it failed 8-5.
“It was such a success last year, I wanted it to expand,” said Gibson. “I think it will be a little bit dampened this year, but I hope it’s successful.
“Truth be told, when you look at the foot traffic that came through downtown (last summer), most came on weekends.”
Speaking ahead of the vote, Marty Williams, executive director of the Downtown Guelph Business Association, urged council to go ahead with the staff recommendation against road closures, but acknowledged weekend closures would be a “good compromise.”
