Main Street Revitalization . . . AGAIN?

[Fritzthecat]

Didn't we just go through this less than 10 years ago when they two laned it to provide for sidewalk cafes?
Aging utilities? They just replaced all that stuff less than 10 years ago! What now? They will widen Bernard to 4 lanes to help cope with traffic congestion?
If they want a vibrant downtown, I suggest they start with addressing the 15.4% unemployment rate in Vernon (March 2012 stat)

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/77 ... ze-Bernard

[km100503]

Not quite sure what the unemployment rate of Vernon has to do with revitalization in Kelowna

[Fritzthecat]

Hey you're right. I always get bErnard and bArbnard mixed up.

[superbee]

Fritz, I'm glad you are on the alert for changes to Barnard!! A way to remember Barnard in Vernon is--in early Vernon there was a big hay barn where the new Library and Nixon Wenger buildings were just built. Barn--Barnard.

[coffeeFreak]

Fritz you have the wrong link to this story in your OP. I too thought the same thing when first reading it but when I hit the link to find out about travel disruptions it took me to the Kelowna city site...it seems that both Bernard and Barnard are being revitalized this year.

As for Vernon's project, it is frustrating that taxpayers are going to pay for this section of revitalization rather than charge the businesses, as was done to those at the other end of main street several years ago.

City puts revitalization plans before 30th Avenue merchants

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

City council agreed Monday to spend $100,000 on a revitalization design for 30th Avenue between 33rd and 35th streets.

"I view this overall for the health of the city," said Coun. Patrick Nicol.

A majority of property owners in the two blocks have agreed to participate in funding the upgrades but city taxpayers will bear the brunt of the $2 million price tag.

That has led to concerns from merchants along parts of 30th Avenue that were revitalized years ago.

"We paid for the whole shot and we're still paying for it," said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.

It's expected construction could begin in April 2013. http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/160319725.html

[bob vernon]

I'd like to see the same concern about "the health of the community" when it comes to bike paths. Some of the bike paths in this town suddenly come to an end, and you're on your own on a narrow road with no shoulder. Every civic election campaign we hear support from all candidates for bike paths, and then when roads are being repaved or rebuilt, no paths are included.

[keith1612]

vernon messed the main street up badly, doubled the size of the sidewalks for nothing and congested traffic.
its not like very many people even shop on the main drag, i go there just for CIBC.
they should have left normal sidewalks and put in angle parking, would have made downtown much more useable.
the downtown vernon association is sort of lost on what they are doing, they believe murals bring in shoppers forgetting that perhaps stores and parking is a bit more important.
i suppose there must be flocks of people in search of murals , never met any myself.

[superbee]

I was just in Vernon and I sure miss the way Barnard used to be. The east end seems so congested compared to the old days. Wide sidewalks and plantings sticking out. Whose big idea was that wide sidwalks and narrow street? Does anyone living in Vernon now agree with that idea?

[mijustin]

I think widening the sidewalks, improving walkability, and supporting main street merchants is a step in the right direction.

Edmonton did the same thing with it's 104th street downtown: reduced traffic lanes, widened sidewalks, etc... It's been a huge success:
http://wanderlustandwords.blogspot.ca/2010/11/urban-development-in-edmonton-104th.html

104th street has gone from a street with vacant buildings, to a thriving neighbourhood. People want to live there, work there, and shop there. http://blog.mastermaq.ca/tag/104-street/

One thing Vernon could do to help, is have more free parking on the outskirts of downtown, so people can park and walk.

[Drinkmoremilk]

I too think widening the sidewalks is a step in the right direction. But the fastest way to bring the downtown to life, I think, would be to have residential buildings there could be so that there would be people at all hours of the day...not just from 10-5....the parking nazis could ease up too...you get a ticket if you are one minute over...