By Charlene Tebbutt

Central Avenue redesign moves forward

Sep 21, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Plans to redevelop Central Avenue in downtown Prince Albert are moving forward, with local residents showing support for the idea of a single lane with angled parking and widened sidewalks for the city’s main downtown thoroughfare.

The idea also received unanimous support earlier this week at city council’s executive committee meeting. Council will now look to Stantec Consulting Ltd. to develop a final design concept for Central Avenue. The motion will come up again at a future city council meeting for final approval.

Information gathered in June at the downtown street fair and through two public surveys showed overwhelming support for a redesign of Central Ave., according to Craig Guidinger, the director of Planning and Development. Specifically, residents here want to see more cafés, patios and outdoor spaces downtown. Guidinger said most residents showed support for the option featuring one driving lane and angled parking.

“They are seeking something unique, they want an experience that they cannot obtain elsewhere,” Guidinger told council. “People want to sit down and enjoy the downtown.”

About 1,200 people responded to the public surveys, Guidinger told council. Other options under review included keeping Central Ave. as is, having two driving lanes with angled parking, or keeping two lanes of traffic with parallel parking on one side only. The option that received the most support will allow the city to widen sidewalks, giving residents more room to roam and business owners more space for retail. Guidinger said the angled parking option would still leave the same amount of space for vehicles.

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Guidinger said the surveys also revealed interest in slowing down traffic along Central Ave. and creating more well-lit spaces with flowers, playgrounds and cobblestone sidewalks. Councillors spoke in favour of the redesign during the meeting, with Mayor Greg Dionne saying the initiative is going to get more people coming downtown.

“I like the idea that we’re doing something, it’s exciting, it’s going to bring people down and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

Still, some councillors raised concerns about loitering in the downtown area and perceptions about a lack of safety. Some suggested the plan should also be put before the police commission for input.

“I do think it’s important for the individual members there, the public members to see those comments regarding safety,” Ward 8 Coun. Ted Zurakowski said. “Whether it’s the perception of safety or it is a real safety concern, it doesn’t matter what type of plant you put into the downtown redevelopment, or what type of landscaping pole or the light pole … it doesn’t matter if that issue of safety or the perception of safety isn’t addressed.”

Ward 6 Coun. Blake Edwards agreed.

“We need to develop a plan to address the loitering,” Edwards said. “I’m concerned that if the loitering is still there, we still have the same issues of Central Avenue and people are not going to want to come down.”

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt