Belmont Street is taking on a whole new look with the creation of a parklet and a “lawn” area equipped with games and seating, but area residents fear it could exacerbate existing nuisance problems in the neighbourhood.
City council recently endorsed a plan for the uptown that includes permanent crosswalk enhancements at Sixth and Belmont streets and construction of a temporary parklet adjacent to the Tim Horton’s where people can sit, socialize and enjoy the city.
The parklet includes movable tables and chairs, fixed seating and planters to buffer the space from the vehicular traffic on Belmont Street.
But that’s just the beginning.
The public realm improvements also include the creation of a social “lawn” next to the parklet that includes artificial grass, outdoor games and colourful Adirondack chairs. That side of the road now has five back-in angled parking stalls and Belmont Street has been restricted to one-way traffic.
Before the parklet was even completed, it was filled with locals who were enjoying a place to sit and soak up the uptown ambience.
While the city believes the plan will transform the streetscape around Sixth and Belmont into an area the public can enjoy, some are fear it will contribute to nuisance crimes in the neighbourhood.
The Viceroy’s strata council has met with city officials in the past to discuss concerns about drug dealing, drunks and people sleeping in doorways in the area.
Uptown resident Gordon Grant is pleased the parklet and “lawn” may be temporary and can be removed if necessary.
He likes the idea of parklets but worries about locating them in areas where nuisance behaviours are already causing problems for neighbours.
“This particular area is not a good place,” he said. “I hope I am totally wrong. I hope it works. I just don’t see it.”
The strata only learned of the city’s plan for Belmont Street a week before the parklet was created and before the city changed the road from a two-way to a one-way street.
“They should have consulted with all the neighbouring businesses and residents along Belmont Street before proceeding with this,” Grant said. “They seem to have had their own agenda.”
In an email to Grant, Mayor Jonathan Cote said the initiatives are consistent with the Great Streets program aimed at making commercial districts more welcoming places.
“I fundamentally believe that you are not going to solve your concerns by making the area an unfriendly place to be, where people do not want to gather and there are no comfortable or interesting places to sit or be,” he wrote. “I believe it is that kind of mentality and approach that leads to streets that fall into decline. Communities need to embrace their public spaces, not hide away from them.”
Cote said the success of this project will come down to how the parklet space is designed and programmed.
“Success for me is to create a public space where people of all socio-economic demographics feel welcome and comfortable in this space,” he said. “I am passionate about our Great Streets program and see a huge opportunity to create a heart and community gathering place for uptown.”
