One block of Vernon’s 30 Avenue closing for dining this summer

As of July 1, the 2900 block of Vernon’s 30 Avenue will be closed to vehicle to allow dining and entertainment on the street.

That will come at a cost of $50,000 to the city.

“Once businesses see what a great result we’ll get, it will spread down 30th,” Coun. Scott Anderson said as Vernon city council unanimously supported the project today, June 21. “I’m very excited about this.”

About 85 per cent of businesses in the 2900 block supported a full closure. A similar closure was proposed for the 3000 block but 52 per cent of those businesses were opposed so nothing will happen there this summer.

The city’s costs include relocating planters ($3,200), signage ($4,800), midblock wheelchair ramps ($3,350), increased sweeping and litter control ($2,375).

The biggest single cost item ($5,000) could be to rent, clean and empty portable washrooms but those will only be brought in if needed, city staff said.

The city will also transfer $8,000 to the Downtown Vernon Association to help pay for “programming, activation and animation” and the city is expected to lose $8,700 in parking revenues over the 9.5-week closure that runs to Sept. 7.

By contrast, Kelowna will be closing four blocks of its main downtown street, Bernard Avenue, for the summer as well, for a total cost of about $103,000.

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