OPINION:
Are we really going to argue about patios at the council table again?
I am disappointed with Collingwood Council’s sudden decision to not allow on-street Hurontario Street patios this summer.
In my view, patios are the most popular attractions in Collingwood’s nationally recognized Historic Downtown District. Our downtown is fun to visit. The patios are alive with conversation, laughter, music and good food. Very good food. Restaurant and cafe owners have taken it upon themselves to provide creative outdoor environments for all to enjoy.
The expansion of Collingwood’s downtown patios during COVID quickly became one of the Collingwood BIA’s biggest success stories, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. People like to have fun. And from what I am hearing, people are not pleased with council’s sudden decision to go backwards to shut down this Collingwood success story.
Let’s look back a few decades to the last major re-design of our downtown Heritage District, most specifically, Hurontario Street. The big dig resulted in an upgrade of underground services and a complete re-design of sidewalks, parking and the main roadway, all with the “people not cars” objective as the top priority. People first.
Yes, there was pain. I managed a clothing store when Hurontario Street, including sidewalks, disappeared for the entire summer. There was ZERO on-street downtown traffic and parking during the busy warm weather season, and we all managed to do business and survive.
The completed Downtown Collingwood re-design took away some on-street parking but greatly enhanced the “feet on the street” shopping experience with convenience and safety in mind allowing for much easier pedestrian movement throughout the downtown district.
While driving on the new Hurontario Street, left hand turning lanes were non-existent, but new pedestrian bump-outs at street corners provided safer crossings at major intersections. People first.
For decades, Collingwood’s downtown has flourished with this design and mindset. Sure, turning left in your vehicle on a busy day can be frustrating, but pedestrian traffic continues to safely move along downtown streets with ease. People first.
Patio Photo: from the website of Sol Kitchen in Downtown Collingwood
Collingwood’s extensive construction of downtown neighbourhood condominium developments has greatly increased foot traffic and visits to the heritage district’s restaurants and patios.
Our downtown patios are a major economic driver for business. Safety issues have been addressed. The popularity of Collingwood on-street patios has been well documented.
From an economic development point of view the retail mix of downtown districts everywhere has evolved to the point where restaurants and coffee shops are now key components to attracting visitors and keeping them longer, and Collingwood has embraced this fact by becoming a destination for “foodies” who come for the enjoyment of dining and then staying to shop. Additionally, the extensive construction of downtown condominium developments has greatly increased foot traffic and visits to the heritage district’s restaurants and patios.
And I ask you this … can’t we have some fun in our town while the rest of the world continues to behave badly?
I am hoping Collingwood council reverses this hastily made decision to not allow on-street patios on Hurontario Street this summer and deals with the bigger issue at hand which of course is the construction of an off-street parking structure at one of the current off-street lots. This has been discussed by many councils for decades. Studies have been submitted, but action was never taken. Apparently, another study is on the way. The results of this new study along with previous studies should form the foundation for further discussion at the council table with the opportunity for public input and comments from the business community before any decision is or is not made regarding proposed change.
Let’s not fall back on old bad decision-making habits by talking about what we can’t do. Instead, let’s celebrate our many success stories and promote what Collingwood does so well.
Our downtown district is alive and healthy. Let’s continue to support our excellent restaurants and coffee shops as a key part of the winning retail mix our main street service and business community so successfully presents.
Move forward. People first
— Paul Richards is a retired radio broadcaster and new media creator, born and raised and loving his home town of Collingwood!