Vernon, BC revitalizes Summer Pedestrian Plaza after challenging first year – Okanagan | Globalnews.ca

Vernon, BC is revamping its summer pedestrian plaza, but that plan is controversial.

While some thought last year’s road closure was, at times, “a tremendous success”, others would describe it as a “total bomb.”

To make up the plaza, a block of Vernon’s main street is now closed to vehicular traffic through July and August.

The City and the Downtown Vernon Association have partnered to close the 2900 block of 30 Avenue with the hope of adding vibrancy to the downtown core.

Restaurant owner James Fredley is planning to take advantage of the shutdown and set up tables outside.

“We are excited about the music and performing arts program that is in place [at] Lunch and evening. I think it would be great for our customers and great for the downtown core,” said Fradley, as he worked on reinforcing the railing for his sidewalk patio.

This is the second time a pedestrian plaza has been tried on this Vernon block. However, last year’s event faced major challenges.

Before the 2021 pilot project, B.C. was hit by a deadly heat dome that left many people indoors.

This was followed by a terrible wildfire season that created smoky conditions.

So how last year’s plaza fared depends on who you ask.

“When the weather was bearable and the smoke wasn’t too bad, it was a tremendous success,” said Fradley, owner of The Med restaurant.

“Last year’s shutdown didn’t give us a chance to celebrate [the plaza] So in our fullest expression, we are excited about this year. Hopefully, cooler spring means we’ll have some nicer days here on the plaza.”

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However, across the street at Raven Traders, a pawn shop, manager John Harker has little opinion of last year’s incident.

“When the road was closed, this block was a ghost town almost every day. It improved slightly in the evening when most businesses were closed,” Harkar said.

While restaurants may have made a profit, the loss of parking had a major impact on their business last year, Harker said.

“Last year was a total bomb and I don’t expect this year to be much better. Last year they blamed the failure on the heat dome that we often have in the Okanagan,” Harker said.

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With Okanagan heat waves in mind, this year organizers plan to include umbrellas and a misting station.

Neither the city nor the Downtown Vernon Association made anyone available for interviews on Monday.

The city has budgeted up to $43,000 for the Summer Plaza.

The program starts from Thursday with the official kick-off.

The road closure is scheduled to last until early September.