THUNDER BAY – New policies to encourage patio dining and street closures in downtown areas are long overdue, Thunder Bay city councillors said Monday night.
While the changes were rushed for approval to support business recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic, council hoped many would stick, fostering more vibrant business districts in the city over the long term.
Changes passed unanimously by council Monday will allow businesses greater flexibility in using private and public space for outdoor dining and retail display, recognizing the need for greater distancing.
The city will allow business associations to apply for seasonal street closures, replacing some traffic and parking lanes with dining, shopping, and walking space.
The Waterfront District Business Improvement Area (BIA), which represents more than 130 businesses in the city’s north core, has confirmed it will apply to close the westbound side of Red River Road between Cumberland and Court streets. It remains to be seen if other business associations will take advantage of the policy.
While some retail and service businesses in the area had raised concerns that a street closure would negatively impact sales, several councillors and Mayor Bill Mauro said they believed the BIA's decision to seek only a one-way closure had alleviated some of the objections.
The city will also waive fees associated with its pop-up patio program, which council voted to make permanent after running as a pilot since 2018.
Restaurants and bars interested in participating will have access to a pre-approved temporary patio design from the city, saving costs and time.
The patio program was taken advantage of by only a handful of businesses in 2018 and 2019, but councillors and city staff expected more interest this year, as restaurants space tables further apart and look to recover from months of closures.
Businesses will also be given leeway to use city-owned and private parking lots as dining or retail space, with the city waiving enforcement of minimum parking requirements for the summer.
The Waterfront District BIA said three patios were already open or under development in the north core, and saw potential for more in the coming weeks.
Coun. Cody Fraser hoped the changes would stick beyond this year, saying the area could emulate successful outdoor shopping and dining districts like the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.
“I think the downtown north core has that exact potential,” he said. “I think it’s truly something special, and this is the first step [in what] in my opinion could be a permanent fixture there.”
Several other councillors agreed, including Coun. Trevor Giertuga, who said “I wish we did this years and years ago” but was glad to see it happening now.
It's a vision that Waterfront District BIA chair Jim Comuzzi supports, as well.
“I really think what we’re going to do this summer will be a peek into what the future will hold for our downtown," he said. "It’s going to bring a vibrancy, a walkability, a connectivity with Bay & Algoma and the waterfront. It’s much overdue."
Providing barriers, picnic tables, and waiving fees is estimated to cost the city less than $50,000 for the summer, though the figure will depend on the number of businesses that participate.
