Hall Street Corridor meeting Thursday at Chamber
By Contributor
The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a public meeting this Thursday (June 20) to review preliminary design work for the Hall Street Corridor.
Nelson Mayor John Dooley said the Hall Street plan, which is being undertaken by Kelowna’s MMM Group, is a major goal in the City’s efforts to connect two of Nelson’s most important parts of town — Baker Street and the lake front.
“When we completed the Sustainable Downtown Waterfront Master Plan (SWDMP), one of the main focuses that emerged was to link our two largest draws — the downtown and waterfront,” Dooley said.
“We see the Hall Street overhaul as a catalyst to redevelopment in the central waterfront — to introduce the waterfront to our visitors and add considerable new vitality to the downtown.”
MMM Group spokesperson Robert Fershau says that since plans for the Hall Street Corridor were made public early last month, feedback has been quite positive.
“Residents are saying they like our suggestions for IODE park, angled parking, the realignment of Nelson and District Community Complex entry, the Baker Street plaza, and the changes suggested for Vernon Street and Baker,” said Fershau.
He adds that there is some concern from neighborhood business owners over proposed traffic flow of a one-way option down Hall Street between Vernon Street and Lake.
However, Fershau added that no final decision has been made in regards to traffic flow at this point in time and that any proposed changes can be tested prior to implementation.
The Hall Street plan has generated considerable banter on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hall-Street-Corridor-Preliminary-Design/557894854255027?fref=ts
This Thursday night’s meeting includes a drop-in, where locals can get information and ask questions to City staff and MMM’s consultants, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. There’ll be a formal presentation on the recommendations beginning at 7 p.m.
The Chamber is encouraging all businesses and property owners downtown to attend, especially those directly linked to the Hall Street corridor.
