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Town investigating vehicle closure for 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue

“Businesses can be assured that this idea is absolutely on the table for very serious consideration,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen.
20200320 Banff COVID 19 0306
A woman walks along quiet Banff Avenue. EVAN BUHLER RMO PHOTO⁠

BANFF – Banff's downtown core may be shut down to vehicles this summer to make it safer for residents and visitors to physically distance and to help struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The business community has asked for temporary summer downtown closures, inclusive of the 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue, as the Alberta government begins its staged approach to relaunching the provincial economy, possibly as early as May 14.

Recommendations from restaurateurs and retailers include some outdoor retailing as well as picnic tables and outdoor seating to allow enough space for people to physically distance by two metres, which is the law in Alberta.

“We know that visitors are expecting the experience to be safely managed when they arrive,” said Peter Woods, president of Ski Big 3, which has the Adventure Hub retail store on the 100 block of Banff Avenue, and who is chairman of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism (BLLT).

“We all realize we can’t afford to be a bad headline. We’ve all seen the Huntington Beach photos.”

In response to the business community’s plea, Banff council has directed administration to come up with options and estimated budgets for its consideration by the end of May.

“Businesses can be assured that this idea is absolutely on the table for very serious consideration,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen during council’s meeting Monday (May 11).

Councillor Grant Canning voiced support for the move, noting the Liricon parking lot at the train station, with potential for shuttles running back and forth, makes it more feasible than ever before.

“I think it will be very educational to see the impact this has on the visitor experience … to learn what a more pedestrianized downtown is going to look like; however, it’s very important to emphasize this isn’t about doing a trial on Banff Avenue,” he said.

“This is about public safety and, in my opinion, I just don’t see how we can meet the requirements of physical distancing, particularly within the downtown core and the businesses along Banff Avenue, without doing something like this.”

Mike Mendelman, CEO of the Banff Hospitality Collective, which owns several restaurants in town, said the proposal is about safety in the COVID-19 era, noting there is much to learn about the new relationship between businesses, its employees and customers.

“We do know it will require as much space as possible, and allowing pedestrian-only traffic on Banff Avenue is the best and only safe plan to move forward,” he said.

In a recent survey by Restaurants Canada, more than 60 per cent of people indicated they would not feel safe dining in a restaurant.

“Outdoor seating and takeout food options will be the key to the survival of the restaurant industry … both of these solutions require outdoor space and the use of a sidewalk to conduct safe business practices,” said Mendelman.

“Once a consumer has taken out food, remember they will require somewhere to eat it.”

Retailers say they will be faced with increasing social distancing measures that will require lineups outside their stores.

“They will have to incorporate exterior square footage –  the sidewalk – into their safety protocols,” Mendelman said. “Outdoor retail setup would also be viewed as a safer option than shopping indoors.”

Dave McKenna, president of Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Collection, said pedestrianizing the 100 and 200 block of Banff Avenue would be an innovative solution during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The 100 block 200 block could become an amazing pedestrian-friendly experience for people to come into town and could dramatically change the face of our town for years to come … and COVID could the opportunity to give it a shot,” he said.

“Let’s shut down 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue, keep the cross streets on the traffic lights, but let’s turn it pedestrian-friendly, give people the space and get some animation out on the street.”

David Roberts, general manager of the Banff Springs Hotel and regional vice-president of Fairmont Hotels western region, voiced support, too.

“I believe that we should block off Banff Avenue so that we can socially distance properly and allow our retailers and restaurants to come back to life,” he said.

Brett Ireland, co-founder of Banff Avenue Brewing Company, said a pedestrian-only main street will be a solution for the need for additional space for both residents and patrons.

“I believe this will protect the Banff brand, the community and visitors by giving businesses the ability to offer their products and services in an uncompressed setting,” he said.

Woods said many communities around the world are addressing downtown spaces by increasing pedestrians areas, noting he believes there are 28 in Canada, which includes neighbouring Canmore.

“The response from the local businesses in Banff has been very positive; we already have over 100 businesses in support,” he said.

Businesses say there is a long path ahead, with a slow phased-in approach to visitation from local to regional to national. The return of international travel remains uncertain.

“As a community, we’ve been on a roller-coaster of emotions for the past two months; it’s been scary,” said Mendelman.

“The notion of pedestrianizing Banff Avenue gives me hope to take that first step, to welcome visitors to Banff in an environment which provides them the space to be safe.”

Follow RMOToday.com's COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.


Cathy Ellis

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