(Photo: Stephanie Sirois)
Saturday marks the start of uptown Saint John’s open streets initiative.
From noon until 8 p.m., Canterbury Street from Princess to King streets, as well as Grannan Lane will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Pedestrians will be able to properly physically distance while supporting the local economic recovery effort.
Phil Ouellette, the city’s deputy commissioner of growth and community planning, says they are trying to help businesses build back up after pandemic-induced shutdowns.
“Their worlds have changed just like everybody else’s, and their business models have changed,” he said. “They are doing everything that they possibly can to offer the great products and services they offered prior to COVID-19, but now they’re trying to do it (during the pandemic).”
On-street parking nearby is free of charge on Saturdays.
Pedestrians are encouraged to dine out, shop the sidewalk sales, or relax in the open air.
Ouellette says there will be “chill zones” to uphold social distancing.
“They’ll give a little reprieve, a little calm. And the middle of what is usually a really busy street will be a space to pick up a meal, pick up a coffee, enjoy it,” he said.
The pilot program will next see portions of Germain Street and Prince William Street “opened” up to pedestrians on a rotating basis.
