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UPDATED: 4:40 p.m.
Vernon city council authorized the expenditure of up to $50,000 to be allocated to cover the city's expenses for the nine and a half week closure of the 2900 block of 30th Avenue.
ORIGINAL: 10:08 a.m.
In a special meeting today, Vernon city councillors will discuss the cost of closing the 2900 block of 30th Avenue for the summer, pegged at almost $50,000.
The Downtown Vernon Association presented a survey to council last week that outlined feedback from businesses on the 2900 and 3000 blocks regarding closure of the city's downtown "main street" to vehicles.
The DVA summarized that 85 per cent of 2900 block businesses support a full road closure, and 38 per cent prefer a partial road closure. Meanwhile, the 3000 block had only 38 per cent of businesses support a closure.
The DVA would fund the following items at a cost of $35,000 as part of the closure:
- Marketing
- Organizing activities and entertainment
- Organizing the loan and installation of 20 picnic tables
- Providing COVID hand sanitizer and disinfectant supplies
- Providing equipment and furnishings
- Sound equipment, ground coverings and misting stations
- Providing two hand carts for businesses on the block
- Storage for appropriate items
- Providing overhead banners, subject to any necessary approvals being obtained
- Undertaking pedestrian counts and monitoring of users’ experience and feedback
The city is expected to cover other costs for the nine-and-a-half-week closure.
The city would cover things such as, relocating planters, new temporary signage, traffic signal operation changes, flexible bollards, road surface repairs, wheelchair ramps, and relocating the community bike rack.
The city would also cover increased garbage collection, litter control, cleaning and emptying of portable washrooms and a contingency for vandalism/damage.
The total estimated cost to the City of Vernon is $49,975.
The closure would begin July 1 and run until Sept. 7.
