While the city administration says its active transit streets are very popular, and Projet posts photos (shown above) of some of the streets that have been temporarily adapted for the summer, showing busy terrasses and happy people, there are also ongoing reports of complaints.
It’s hard to tell whether the complainers are in the majority, or if they’re just noisy, supported by city hall opposition, and/or given a voice by journalists looking for a “balance” story. These are folks who in some sense seem to have lost the thread that these measures are temporary, that city hall is trying to create a summer ambiance in the absence of the usual festivals and tourist crowds.
Complainers also may be forgetting that a lot of people have either lost their jobs, or are temporarily laid off, and so even with all the free parking in the world they would not be out shopping or eating in restaurants. Even people still working might be observing some degree of caution about overspending, given the worldwide uncertainty about the economy.
Also a lot of people are still observing a degree of isolation from caution, for themselves, or because they have vulnerable family members to protect.
In other words, no city administration could escape blame at a time like this, no matter what they did. People should have a sense of proportion about what’s possible.
david20 21:23 on 2020-07-30 Permalink
I love it and have been a militant pedestrianist since I’ve been anything other than a child. But I’m hearing it more and more that this is the final nail for some businesses during this Covid-19 time. Not just Joe Beef, but others. Has me re-thinking some.
Alex 22:06 on 2020-07-30 Permalink
They just seem like a majority because social media algorithms like to increase post engagement by pitting people again eachother
CE 22:45 on 2020-07-30 Permalink
I’m enjoying the street closures! Mont-Royal in particular is busier and nicer than it almost ever is. It’s a street I almost never go to unless I have to get something specific but lately, I’ve been going quite often just to enjoy the ambiance and, every time, I spend money. My girlfriend and I actually enjoyed one of the most expensive meals we’ve eaten in a long time just because the terrace looked so enticing.
Ian 08:51 on 2020-07-31 Permalink
It’s VERY effective on Mont-Royal, for sure. That street was always kind of gross to walk OR drive on between the metro station and St-Laurent, and while as I live west of St-Laurent I don’t plan to walk all the way to Fullum, it has been very pleasant to walk along Mont-Royal at least as far as Cartier, which I would never do under “normal” circumstances.