Last summer’s experiment with a pedestrian mall on the east end of Main Street is provoking mixed reactions, according to a report from municipal staff members.

The pilot project saw a block of Main Street closed to traffic for the summer.

A report was presented to council Monday evening by Stephanie Chevalier, the city’s economic development co-ordinator.

It shows not everyone was pleased with how it unfolded, although most were supportive of the concept.

Chevalier’s report provided some background on the project.

“The Main Street Town Square programming, budget amendment and related bylaw were approved on May 23, and carried on for 10 weeks,” it says

“The project included street artwork, concerts, a market, expanded business patios and public seating and planters.

“Following the project, which ended Sept. 5th, administration launched an online Exit Survey and collected direct feedback from stakeholders and adjacent businesses willing to share their experiences.”

Chevalier’s analysis indicated the survey launched Sept. 14 and closed Oct. 1 on Engage Whitehorse.

The survey had 1,493 responses in total: 1,236 from the general public and 257 from businesses (including 56 businesses adjacent to Main Street Town Square).

“Overall satisfaction with the project is divided, with 54 per cent of the public satisfied or very satisfied, while 53 per cent of businesses are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Main Street Town Square, and 62 per cent of businesses self-declared as adjacent to Main Street Town Square are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the project.”

The report states “the main negative impacts identified by businesses were less parking, traffic flow disruption and accessibility, while most residents mentioned loss of parking, and lack of programming.”

The report added more detail to the concerns of businesses in the area.

“Among surveyed businesses self-identifying as adjacent to Main Street Town Square, 19 declared a decrease in business revenue between June and August 2023 compared to 2022; 10 declared an increase, and 16 declared no change.”

Despite those negative aspects, 72 per cent of residents and 59 per cent of businesses said they were supportive of trying the concept again, with some improvements.

The main improvements requested by residents are activities/entertainment (60.5 per cent) and community and business engagement (45 per cent).

Businesses suggested changing the location (46.7 per cent) and improvements to activities/entertainment (40.6 per cent).

According to the report, the favoured locations for 2024 are:

• the same location as this year (57 per cent of residents, 50 per cent of businesses);

• the riverfront off Front Street (49 per cent of residents, 53 per cent of responding businesses); and

• Front Street between Main and Steele streets (40 per cent of residents, 45 per cent of responding businesses).

“A majority of stakeholders, including businesses located around Main Street, are supportive of the idea of a town square, but some want the city to rethink the location, and include them in future planning,” the report says.

“Fifty business owners and NGO workers have shared their contact to be involved in the planning of such future initiatives.”

The report states administration delivered the project with a budget of $169,102.

Coun. Ted Laking, who was one of the primary advocates for the project, said he wasn’t surprised at the survey’s conclusions.

He said he had a sense that sentiment was divided on the concept.

“It indicates to me that by saying they were dissatisfied with it, they’re not necessarily saying the concept. The takeaway was more about the implementation of the end product.”

Chevalier agreed with that, saying, “The concept is appealing to most businesses as well as residents.”

She added the major problem appeared to be the timing for opening the square and a lack of consultation.

Chevalier said the businesses in the area seemed to think there should have been time for more discussion with the city after the project had been approved – and that didn’t happen to their satisfaction.

“The reality is that we had three weeks once council had voted,” she said.

“So there was really some frustration over a lack of consultation.”

Coun. Kirk Cameron commended municipal staff on “their stellar efforts” to get the project in place under tight time constraints.

“I think it would be nice to compare similar projects by other cities after their first year of attempting an experiment like this.”

Cameron said he would like to get a sense of the public reaction after the first year of the various projects.

“We may find that our finding after the first year might be similar to their’s.”

The findings might show the concept of a town square might be worthwhile to continue pursuing, Cameron said.

Mayor Laura Cabott agreed with the notion that municipal staff members had been put under a “tight deadline” to create the town square.

“So it’s not a surprise that there is a fair bit of dissatisfaction but not enough to throw out the whole idea. (With) the short timeline you were put on, I was very impressed.”

Coun. Dan Boyd said he was “a little bit confused with people saying they were supportive. I found it a little contradicting as the report moved on.”

Chevalier recommended the major change to the process would be more consultation if the city decided to establish a town square for a second year.

She said the city has to take the time to talk more to the people affected by the square.

The ideal time would likely be six months’ advance work, Chevalier said.