A recent snap poll among St. John’s Board of Trade members showed overwhelming support for the idea of converting Water Street into “Walker Street.”
Kevin Casey says as businesses contemplate operations post-pandemic, the idea of converting the main drag through the downtown into a pedestrian mall is gaining favourable reaction.
It’s been done before.
Casey says local businesses were “captivated” by images of Water Street from the 1960s with pedestrians wandering from shop to shop.
Casey says the concept works in other large cities throughout North America.
He says cities like Montreal and Calgary are examples of when you walk, you spend money. “Walkers spend money, cars pass by,” says Casey.