In exchange for less parking outside their shops, Bernard Avenue merchants could get wider sidewalks and a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape.
The number of vehicle lanes would be reduced from four to three, with the middle used for left turns only, under one of the redevelopment options for the street presented this week to downtown business owners.
Retention of angle parking on a three-lane Bernard would create sidewalks that are 16 feet wide on both sides of the street between Abbott and Richter. That‘s twice the width of the existing sidewalk along some sections of Bernard.
And switching Bernard to parallel parking would reduce the number of stalls, but create even wider sidewalks. That was the option favoured by many of the three dozen business and property owners who attended a city-sponsored meeting Monday.
“Having wider sidewalks and narrower streets would be a great customer convenience,” said Kamel Abougoush, owner of the Grateful Fed restaurant at Bernard Avenue and Ellis Street.
“More people walking around on the sidewalks would make downtown a livelier, more interesting place,” he added.
Aging storm and sanitary sewers underneath Bernard Avenue have to be replaced next year, and then the road rebuilt, in a project estimated to cost about $10 million.
That amount would put the street basically back to its current look, with four lanes, angle parking and sidewalks of varying width.
Another $1 million widens sidewalks and adds street furniture, new lighting, trees and public art.
“Above all, the intention would be to give the street a much more pedestrian-oriented environment,” said Pat McCormick, a city planner.
Since property owners would have to pay one-quarter of the costs, they‘re being consulted by the city. They‘ll also get the chance to say yes or no in a petition process.
John Parrott of the Downtown Kelowna Association said most of the 120 affected landlords support the city‘s general goal of giving a new look to Bernard Avenue.
“People are looking for an enhanced main street with an ‘it‘ factor,” he said. “They‘ll probably be willing to shell out if they perceive the plan has value.” Top of Page
