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Downtown Comes Alive As Patio Season Brings Diners Outside For The Summer
/Patio season is ramping up with the installation of expanded patio areas and new pedestrian space for people visiting the downtown.
Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.
The City has completed the installation of decorative fencing and planter boxes next to businesses on George, Water and Charlotte streets that have signed up for the expanded patios this year, using on-street parking in front of their businesses.
The patio season changes also means that Hunter Street between George and Aylmer streets has become a one-lane, one-way street westbound to add more patio and pedestrian space.
As part of the reconfiguration of the section of Hunter Street, Chambers Street is temporarily closed at its south end at Hunter Street and will be two-way for the duration of the closure.
This is the third summer that the City is putting in place temporary changes to downtown public space to allow for more patio and pedestrian area. This year’s design is similar to last year’s successful design, except for one change: Charlotte Street between George Street and Aylmer Street North is remaining a two-lane, two-way street this year.
In other areas of the downtown, expanded patios are put into on-street parking spaces next to businesses that choose to participate in the program.
Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic public health considerations, providing additional outdoor space for downtown businesses and visitors is another way to support businesses that are recovering from the disruptions caused by the pandemic, says the City.
For a second year, the City will coordinate the the Renaissance on Hunter public art project. This project allows successful, local artists to complete murals on Hunter Street. The Road Mural and Artists' Gardens projects are expected to be in place by early July, weather permitting.
The City of Peterborough consulted with Peterborough Public Health and Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area through the design and implementation of the temporary downtown public space changes.
Patio Season Is Approaching As City Approves Temporary Changes To Downtown Spaces
/Patio season is approaching with plans underway to create more patio and pedestrian space in the downtown.
File Photo.
At its meeting on Monday, City Council approved temporary changes to the downtown public space to allow for additional patio and pedestrian space this patio season. The patio season set up is expected to be installed in late May or early June.
“Downtown patio and pedestrian spaces enhance the vibrancy of our downtown for visitors while supporting businesses. Our downtown community attracted people into the central area to visit the patios last year – and I’m looking forward to them building on that success this year,” Town Ward Councillor Kemi Akapo said.
The plan includes:
Allowing businesses on George, Water and Charlotte streets to use on-street parking spaces for additional outdoor business/patio space with no permit fee for the use of the space
Maintaining the existing two vehicular travel lanes and cycling lanes on George and Water streets
Reducing Hunter Street to a one-lane, one-way street to expand pedestrian space and available patio areas
Maintaining Charlotte Street as a two-way, two-lane street, while allowing for patios in on-street parking spaces through the patio permit process
The use of decorative fencing and planters to delineate between the new pedestrian areas, expanded/on-street patios and vehicular traffic lanes
Reduced speed limits will be put in place on streets with patios. Parking spaces and loading zones may be adjusted once patio locations have been confirmed with participating businesses.
If provincial or local public health directives change in response to the pandemic, the City will be ready to adjust to support public health and downtown businesses in relation to the downtown built environment.
The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and Peterborough Public Health provided guidance on the implementation of downtown built environment changes for this patio season. The DBIA is assisting its member businesses with the distribution of patio permit information packages.
Businesses inquiring about permits for patio space downtown are asked to contact:
Nicole Huculiak, Planner - Urban Design & Projects Coordinator, at nhuculiak@peterborough.ca or by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 1654
Christie Gilbertson, Planner Policy and Research, at cgilbertson@peterborough.ca or by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 1776
