Businesses in downtown St. John’s are split on the two options before them of a proposed Water Street pedestrian mall pilot project.
Business Commission Chair Byron Murphy says the close vote tells them that further consultation is needed with their members to help identify a clear majority for option one or two.
The options, proposed on June 2, both close portions of the downtown to vehicles, welcoming social distancing and expanding the street.
Option one would close portions of Water Street (from Bishop’s Cove to Prescott Street) and Duckworth Street (from Cathedral Street to King’s Road) from July 3 to 26.
Option two would close the same portions of the streets but for every weekend in July and August.
Murphy says there is strong support for a pedestrian mall, but they are concerned that the majority of their members did not choose one option over the other.