Add a Pedestrian Street
Idea:
Pedestrian streets are a great way to increase foot traffic in an area. As well, this would further promote alternative transportation methods (bikes, walking, etc). Cities such as Victoria, BC utilize pedestrian streets in key core areas to increase foot traffic, support cultural displays (often music performances), support local business, and increase the livelihood and tourism in strategic areas. Moreover, cities such as Guelph, ON close off main downtown streets during key hours on evenings and weekends in order to promote their night culture, foster safety, and entice a younger nightlife in the core. Fredericton should look at different strategies to engage the citizens and create more liveliness in the core. Strategically developing a pedestrian street in the core would entice more weekend pedestrian traffic. To add, this may in-turn help to further develop regional tourism. . Furthermore, if an approach is taken that allows for a mix of static and rotating entertainment, it may enable a natural evolution of the street that reflects the local culture. For example, rotating buskers can help attract regional musicians to the area. To add, rotating food trucks or alcohol gardens would allow the city to showcase local cuisine and breweries. Whether it is a block or two or Queens street (if this can be planned while providing alternative traffic options) or a few key alleys and streets. There is value in having public visibility of community engagement.
Staff Feedback:
Thank you for your suggestion to increase pedestrian streets in our downtown! We wholeheartedly agree that this would provide significant benefits to local businesses, tourism, and overall liveliness of the area. In 2015, the City of Fredericton adopted the City Centre Plan to help guide our downtown core through a vision and framework for growth and change. One of the key strategies in this plan aligns with your idea for increased pedestrian street, specifically titled “The Queen & Carleton Cultural Corridors” (section 3.5). The City has identified Carleton Street as the primary location for these activities and plan on improving the pedestrian infrastructure of this corridor when feasible. If you’re interested, you can read through the Plan to review the many exciting and unique strategies we have proposed throughout the City Centre.
The City of Fredericton will continue to work with our adopted plans, advocate for more pedestrian activities, and facilitate improvements to the City Centre. This work is always ongoing and we hope to bring forth greater pedestrian engagement in our downtown. We appreciate you taking the time to voice your thoughts!