Downtown drive

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/07/2011 (5525 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to Brandon’s long-suffering downtown business district, creating debate with new ideas is a whole lot better than continued stagnation.

On Monday, Rosser Ward Coun. Corey Roberts proposed that 10th Street and Ninth Street from Princess Avenue to Pacific Avenue be switched to a one-way format for vehicle traffic, complete with angled parking.

That is, once the 100-block of 10th Street is finallyre-opened.

He’s also suggested that Rosser Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street and the section of Ninth Street between Princess Park and the new Kristopher Campbell Memorial Skateboard Plaza be closed to traffic on a seasonal event-driven basis.

He believes these changes could complement initiatives to improve the downtown planned by Renaissance Brandon, the arms-length downtown revitalization board upon which Roberts, Coun. Len Isleifson (Riverview) and Mayor Shari Decter Hirst sit.

During the meeting, Roberts said he had strong support for the street changes and closures — “99 per cent” — and it seems a number of councillors have already jumped on board with the moves.

We’re not entirely convinced that converting parts of 10th Street and Ninth Street to one-way traffic with angled parking is all that necessary.

There is parking downtown already if people are willing to walk a couple blocks, and Robert’s argument that angled parking makes it easier for people who “can’t handle the dreaded parallel park” is a bit odd.

People who can’t handle parallel parking probably shouldn’t be driving.

But that doesn’t mean there is no merit to these proposals. Improving access for pedestrians and encouraging a more active atmosphere downtown where merchants stay open later are worthy initiatives.

Downtown pedestrian corridors work well in other cities, and if closing off a few streets to vehicle traffic can entice people to spend more time downtown shopping and dining, it’s worth a try.

We hope the proposed bylaw, which is expected in the coming weeks, gets some serious consideration by council.