During the May 31 meeting of City Council’s Urban Planning Committee, the committee voted 3-2 in favour of the following motion:

Moved by:A. Salvador

That Urban Planning Committee recommend to City Council:
That Administration implement a pilot, as soon as possible, of the full closure of the traffic lane on 102 Avenue between 99 Street to 103 Street for the purpose of establishing a pedestrian-friendly corridor and that Administration prepare a road closure bylaw for the full closure of the traffic lane on 102 Avenue between 99 Street to 103 Street for a one year pilot, and work with the Downtown Business Association and stakeholders to utilize Downtown Vibrancy funding for activation.

This means that the motion now goes to City Council on June 7 for further discussion and another vote, this time by council as a whole.

While Council does not normally hear from public speakers during Council meetings (the public normally speaks at committee meetings, like the one on May 31), you can still make sure your voice is heard by contacting your councillor before Tuesday, June 7 to express your support for 102 Ave as a pedestrian-friendly corridor.

Even if you know your councillor supports this motion already, please still write to let them know that you support this. They need to hear voices in support to strengthen their position!

Sample message

Paths for People has created a sample message and some tips on what you can write to your councillor! They have also published an opinion piece in the Journal.

Look up your ward’s councillor by address here.

You can read more about the plan in this CBC story, as well as listen to discussion about it in the latest episode of the Speaking Municipally podcast.