Douglas Street could become a no-car zone for at least an afternoon in June.
Victoria councillors on Thursday gave support in principle to the Downtown Victoria Business Association’s plans to host a car-free day in Victoria on Sunday, June 21.
“This is something that is undeniably popular around the world,” said Ken Kelly, the business association’s general manager. “It’s an increased consciousness, I think, of the importance of looking at other means of transportation.”
Under the plan, a section of Douglas Street would be closed to vehicle traffic between noon and 6 p.m. Original plans called for the nine blocks between Herald and Courtney streets to be closed, but that may shrink to six blocks between Fisgard and Fort streets, Kelly said.
In introducing the proposal to council, Coun. Marianne Alto noted there are a number of significant organizational issues to consider, not the least of which is traffic control.
The business association is working with B.C. Transit to re-route affected buses. For example, it could keep Yates and Fort streets open to maintain access to city parkades, and to add bike parking.
Car-free days, which invite the community to reclaim streets for public gatherings and other types of transportation, take place around the world. The hope is to model the Victoria event after Vancouver’s decade-old Main Street Car Free Day.
It was thought that closing Douglas Street would make the most dramatic statement. A number of stages will be set up and the hope is to pack the street with people.
“There’s a lot of attention down at the harbour. There’s attention down on Government Street,” Kelly said. “But Douglas Street, as a major transportation arterial, is one of those streets that kind of gets forgotten in the whole celebration of community.”
Alto said the event could be a real attraction for Douglas Street.
“This is an opportunity to perhaps test some ideas around making Douglas Street a bit more attractive and perhaps a bit more user-friendly in a way which provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to come out to celebrate a whole bunch of different activites,” she said.
