THUNDER BAY – Vehicular traffic will make way for patio dining and outdoor shopping on a section of Red River Road starting next week. The temporary, one-way closure is intended to boost business recovery in the city’s north core.
The road’s westbound lane will be blocked off between St. Paul and Court streets, clearing room for around 30 picnic tables, as well as retail display space.
The Waterfront District Business Improvement Area (BIA), which represents more than 130 north core businesses, applied for the closure under new rules passed by city council earlier this month.
The space is expected to generate millions in additional revenue for local businesses, said BIA coordinator Kara Pratt. She said the BIA had drawn up conservative estimates of a $1.9 million boost for restaurants based on the additional seating – that’s without factoring in higher retail sales from outdoor displays.
The space, which the BIA has christened the Waterfront District StrEATery, is slated to open Saturday, July 4. The section of Red River Road will be closed in both directions from June 29 to July 3 to place stone barriers, potted trees, and picnic tables.
After a number of area retailers expressed concerns about the street closure, Pratt said opting for only a one-way closure had helped find common ground. The additional lane that usually serves as a bus stop on the eastbound side of the street will also be reserved for 15-minute parking to promote curbside pickup.
Meanwhile, city buses that usually travel the stretch of Red River will detour using Court Street to Camelot Street. Additional information can be found on the Thunder Bay Transit website.
Joel DePeuter, the city’s Manager of Realty Services, said businesses were embracing the relaxed patio rules as they look to recover following COVID-19 closures. Over 30 businesses have applied for some form of outdoor patio space, with many taking advantage of the suspension of parking minimums to convert parking lots into temporary patios.
DePeuter said the higher uptake this year would inform the city’s efforts to promote patios going forward.
“It’s something we’ll be monitoring over the summer and hopefully hang on to the good stuff where there’s success,” he said.
Pratt, for her part, looks forward to seeing the vibrancy the closure will bring to the area, while reminding the public to follow public health standards such as physical distancing. She said allowing for more outdoor space is a positive step.
“We look forward to seeing people come down here to enjoy the space outside. Talking with the health unit, that’s really where they’d like to see people – outside where there’s moving air, there’s sun.”
