Calgary merchants leery of limiting cars on Memorial Drive
Proposal aimed at luring walkers and cyclists
By Eva Ferguson, Calgary HeraldApril 15, 2009 7:13 AM
Businesses are worried about a city-driven proposal to shut down a portion of Memorial Drive this summer to encourage more cycling and pedestrian traffic along the river.
Already struggling with a downturn in the economy and rising rents and taxes, businesses say restricting vehicles on one of their busiest days will be another tough blow to revenue.
"What a ridiculous idea," said Shauna-Lee Gunn, owner of Body Inc.,a tattoo and body piercing salon on 10th Street N. W.
"Where do they come up with these things? It's a huge concern if they're going to reduce access to the stores along here."
Ald. Druh Farrell said she will push ahead with a plan to turn a portion of Memorial Drive into a promenade.
The two lanes closest to the river between 10th Street N. W. and the Calgary Curling Club, situated by the pedestrian bridge to Prince's Island, would be closed to traffic on Sundays in August in an effort to give bikes, joggers and pedestrians more room. The other two lanes would be open to two-way traffic.
But Gunn said traffic is busy along Memorial Drive on weekends, so closing off two of the four lanes will cause severe traffic jams and prevent drivers from visiting businesses.
"This is really going to hurt our business. It's going to hurt a lot of businesses at a time when things are already very tough."
Gunn added many of her neighbours, like her, are struggling with higher rents, while others are having a tough time with business tax increases.
John Wilkinson, owner of Kismet Ladieswear in Kensington, said cyclists and pedestrians already have plenty of room with two divided pathways and a large green space along Memorial Drive, east of 10th Street N. W.
"I don't really see people rushing down to Kensington now, just because they can walk down the middle of Memorial Drive," Wilkinson said. "If there was a parade, or a special event, maybe it might bring more people. But I don't see this doing that.
"Impeding traffic flow isn't a good idea when so many businesses are already struggling just to stay alive."
But Farrell said pedestrian projects in other North American and European cities have been a success.
"It's about getting people to come out and get active. We're not reducing capacity.In fact, we're anticipating more volumes of people."
Annie MacInnis, executive director of the Kensington Business Revitalization Zone, said she's optimistic about the plan and supports encouraging more pedestrian traffic in the area.
"We're looking at ways to boost vitality in this area. And we're hoping this will be a success."
Farrell added she's not worried about impeding traffic be-cause that stretch of Memorial Drive is "a pretty sleepy road on Sundays."
The city has already had calls to expand the closure further east and west, and possibly south into Chinatown.
"We'll monitor its success and we'll re-evaluate again in September," Farrell said.
eFerguson@tHeHerald. Canwest.Com
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A couple of thoughts, we have discussed on here how Kensington is in its situation entirely due to Kensington and Sunnyside's opposition to higher density developments. They are trying to compete with up and coming shopping/entertainment streets & avenues and have not been proactive enough to keep attracting people. So 2 of 4 lanes being closed 1 day a week for 1 month will hardly be the main cause of the business' struggles.
Personally I don't think Memorial is busy on Sundays, the only place you see any volume of traffic is waiting at the lights at Memorial and 10th street. Other than that it is smooth sailing.
Access is hardly limited, you can still always take Kensington Road, 5th Avenue, or 10th street from the north to get into the area proper.