Downtown Association interested in exploring Queen St. closures

While leery about starting too big or too soon after COVID-19, the Downtown Association is expressing cautious interest in a three-year-old proposal to close Queen Street once or twice a week for special summer events.

On June 26, 2017, City Council endorsed a resolution from Ward 3 Coun. Matthew Shoemaker, instructing city staff to look at closing Queen Street to traffic from East to Gore on Friday and/or Saturday nights, from Victoria Day to Labour Day to encourage active use of downtown.

The outstanding resolution found its way to the Downtown Association's 2021 annual general meeting.

"Coun. Shoemaker brought this to council before having any meaningful consultation with the Downtown Association, just based on the idea that if one street party in the summer is great, would eight not be better?" commended Kristi Cistaro, chair of the 150-member association.

"I don't think we're there yet," Cistaro said. "I'd love to some day but I don't think right now is the right time."

"Perhaps down the road, a standing closure for a summertime event season with some well-established programming and the resources to back it up would be fabulous. But I don't think we're in a spot to have that work at this stage."

Nick Rosset from Savoy's Jewellers also found the idea less than sparkly.

Just two events held during good weather, with good promotion might work, Rosset said, but closing Queen Street once or twice a week is unlikely to work right now, he said.

"If it's so diluted every single weekend, it'll just flop."

Added board member Frank Gaccione: "This is my opinion, that we do go ahead with this, but on a smaller scale near the end of the summer. See how things are progressing with COVID and hopefully more things will open up. I don't want to open this up and it turn out to be a failure right off the bat because of the situation we're in."

Rory Ring from the Chamber of Commerce pointed out that the Shoemaker resolution only asked that the city consider the idea of Queen Street closures.

"I don't think you need to hit the pause button on that. We actually should start to look at the potential impacts of doing that," Ring said.

But he added that major events in Queenstown shouldn't begin until people begin to feel confident about the vaccine.

An initial vote taken at the Friday-night annual general meeting found the Downtown Association membership to be evenly split on the issue.

But after further discussion, something approaching a consensus emerged that Shoemaker's idea should be explored by the city, but caution exercised about moving too quickly before the pandemic is resolved.

Tamar flower-snips board over levy increase

In other news, the association's 2021 budget calls for a modest increase to the levy paid by members.

The levy hike follows a year in which assessments were reduced to $115,000 from $185,000 the previous year.

"The increase represents about 2.5 per cent over pre-COVID traditional levy amounts," Cistaro said.

"It's worth noting that our levy hasn't increased in at least 10 years, possibly more. We're moving back into the rebuilding phase."

Tamar Tucker from Tamar's Trends flower shop hinted that the levy hike might be the final stroke that drives her from downtown.

"We're still in COVID," Tucker said. "We're all scared. Hearing that, it's just disconcerting. It's another thing that puts another brick on your back."

"Let it be noted that I'm saying: 'Easy! – we're not recovered in any way, shape or form."

"When I hear that this levy that was brought back for us, and then having to think that I have to add that to what I have, it's not hopeful to stay on Queen Street," Tucker said.

The Downtown Association's revenue dropped to about $159,000 last year to $304,000 the previous year.

The organization collected $77,000 from events last year, with just $2,000 in events revenue projected in 2021.

The 2021 budget passed, with 15 per cent of members voting against it.

The Downtown Association budget still requires approval by City Council.

The following is the proposed 2021 schedule of downtown events:

APRIL

Easter Egg Hunt - April 1-16

Children can search downtown for eggs hidden in store windows, completing a scavenger hunt form and submitting to the Downtown Association office to win spring baskets. A great way to get up and get moving and explore downtown. Customers can participate too by finding the 'Golden Egg' in their favourite downtown businesses. Once found, store staff can give you a ballot to be collected by Downtown Association staff for a chance to win a gift card to their choice of downtown business

Lunch and Learn - Meet your executive director!

First of a monthly event, our lunch and learn events will showcase a business owner from our service sector, where they can teach us all about what they do and how they got involved in their trade. First up is our very own Salvatore Marchese, a great way for you to meet new staff.

MAY

Royal Treatment Days - May 3-9

Treat your customer like a queen/king! Create your royal treatment day(s) for your customers so they know much we are glad to have them back, The Downtown Association will advertise the special treats you have planned, and don’t worry, we have some tricks up our sleeve to ensure your customers/clients are spoiled.

Maker’s Market - May 15

Return of the Downtown Market. Vendors may sign up to participate. We encourage you as a storefront owner to venture out from your storefront and participate! A great way to showcase your business in a new setting. Tables and tents provided for membership.

Spring Clean-Up Day - May 27

Spring has sprung! Our annual downtown clean-up will be taking place again. We will work to clean up storefronts, litter, weeding, small repairs, painting and more. We need your help: donations of garbage bags, gloves, go-for reaching tools (garbage pickers), paint, brushes and accessories are needed to make this day possible. Want to lend a hand? Please sign up to [email protected] Subject: Cleanup!

JUNE

Beautification Days - June 1-5

June is the perfect time to get our patio sets, planters and spring decor ready. The Downtown Association invites you to decorate your storefront/frontage this week to help make Downtown Sault Ste. Marie inviting. The Downtown Association will work with local businesses to have 'group-buys' available by this time - to make beautification cost-effective for all.

Sault’s Largest Garage Sale and Sidewalk Sale returns! - June 19

After the 2019 success of the Sault’s Largest Garage Sale, we want to do it bigger and larger (safely, of course) than ever!

JULY

Movie Night - July 15

Join us for an evening of family-friendly movies projected onto the big screen. We will be contacting local restaurants/bars to provide pre-packaged snacks for purchase to enjoy during the film. As always we will have giveaways to promote visiting downtown!

Maker's Market - July 24

AUGUST

Maker’s Market - Aug. 14

Street Party - Aug. 19

The return of the beloved street party! Things will look a little different this year to ensure safety and physical distancing.

SEPTEMBER

Greyhound Season Opener - TBD*

*Dependant on restrictions and if OHL hockey returns in 2021

Maker’s Market - Sept. 18

OCTOBER

Halloween on Queen - Oct. 30

NOVEMBER