The capital city has released a report on what was heard during a consultation process on the downtown Pedestrian Mall, and it shows that the addition of Duckworth Street failed to benefit the businesses in that part of the downtown.

This year’s pedestrian mall included the Duckworth Street area, but it wasn’t long before area businesses started raising concerns.

The survey results reiterate the concerns raised throughout the summer months. Nearly 75 percent of the Duckworth Street businesses affected indicated that the Pedestrian Mall had a negative impact on their business.

The survey shows that most people visited the Water Street portion of the pedestrian mall, with half of those asked visiting Duckworth and just under half the George Street area.

Duckworth Street businesses also indicated that the decision to include them in a portion of the mall was not well planned and poorly executed.

Public engagement was conducted in on-street interviews, focus groups with businesses and other organizations, a public survey, a business survey and other feedback received by the city.

A final report will be presented to council.