THUNDER BAY – A proposed partial closure of Red River Road in Thunder Bay’s north core isn’t sitting well with some downtown businesses. A petition asking the city not to close the street, signed by nine area businesses, puts them at odds with the Waterfront District Business Improvement Area (BIA).
The BIA, an association of over 130 businesses in the city’s north downtown, supports a temporary, partial closure of Red River between Court and Cumberland streets – a move intended to help lure customers back as businesses hit hard by COVID-19 closures begin to reopen.
A partial closure would see one direction of traffic continue to flow, with the other half of the road blocked to provide more space for walking, dining, and shopping.
On Monday, city council will consider allowing such street closures in business districts throughout Thunder Bay, at the request of BIAs and business associations.
A group of Red River Road business owners publicly opposes the move, despite its endorsement by the BIA that represents them. Nine businesses, most in retail or service, signed a petition asking city council not to close the road.
Matt Bressmer, owner of Creations Body Piercing and neighbouring Cathy’s Discount, said past street closures have dramatically reduced revenues for retail operations like his.
“My sales records consistently indicate that loss of parking and street closure negatively affects sales,” he wrote in the petition.
He didn’t mind taking the hit for one-off events like RibFest or the Craft Revival, which he praised, but feared the financial impact of a months-long road closure could be fatal.
“I just don’t have the room financially right now to take big chances,” he said. “I don’t really know what I would’ve done had [closures] gone much longer. We really need a good summer now.”
Bressmer said he could support alternatives such as temporary evening or weekend road closures, but felt having the road closed constantly would disproportionately benefit restaurants and bars, while hurting most others.
“I don’t mind compromising,” he said. “Saturdays are a busy day for us, but let’s spread the wealth around.”
“I understand that the restaurants are not having a good time – nobody’s having a good time. I’m not trying to take away from anybody, but if I was in the same situation, I wouldn’t want to [disadvantage] somebody else to help myself.”
Waterfront District BIA coordinator Kara Pratt said evening and weekend closures unfortunately aren’t a feasible option. The city requires barriers for temporary closures to be monitored at all times, unlike permanent barriers that ensure pedestrian safety.
A survey of BIA members, conducted by email, indicated strong support for street closures and other measures council will consider Monday, Pratt said.
Of 58 survey respondents – several of which are also located on Red River Road – over 89 per cent said they support partial street closures for the extension of patios. Over 84 per cent supported the creation of “temporary park space” within the area to allow for physically distanced seating and walkability.
It’s a strategy intended to draw more people downtown and benefit all businesses, including retailers, Pratt emphasized.
“Having a walkable space that allows patrons to look into windows to safely view products before deciding to go inside, or view menus of restaurants before they decide to go eat – it creates an active space downtown.”
City council will consider the issue Monday. Other strategies proposed in the motion include waiving fees for the city’s pop-up patio program and waiving parking capacity requirements so parking lots can be used as seating or outdoor shopping space.
