Main Street Town Square Project 2023 / Courtesy: Matthew Hitchcock
WHITEHORSE, YT – At the Whitehorse City Council meeting on Monday, February 5th, options for the 2024 Town Square Project were presented by the city’s Economic Development Coordinator, Stéphanie Chevalier.
Based on responses to a survey conducted as the pilot project wrapped up last year there’s a strong desire in Whitehorse to see the town square return this summer, and with it the wide variety of street vendors, food trucks, and performers who were able to grace the open air market space. But, there’s a push from local businesses downtown to move the Town Square location from Main Street.
‘Among respondents of the general public, the most popular option was to continue with with the Main Street as a town square, followed by the riverfront among respondents from the business community. The riverfront was the most popular option, followed by Main Street between Second Avenue and Front Street.’ – Stéphanie Chevalier, Whitehorse Economic Development Coordinator
Businesses who responded to the exit survey have voiced concerns that the Town Square was often in direct competition with established storefronts for customers and had removed prime parking spots from the shopping district. They’re in favor of a proposed alternate location along Front Street, between Main and Steele Streets.
‘Due to both the disruptive impact of the Main Street Town Square on local businesses, and due to market vendors feeling unwelcomed in this location, the riverfront area was identified as the preferred location as it would minimize impact on local businesses and further activate this area.’ – Stéphanie Chevalier, Whitehorse Economic Development Coordinator
The Main Street location would take up 34 parking spaces, and requires a review of the City’s traffic management plan to cope with disruptions to traffic, whereas the riverfront location has been identified as being easier to implement.
‘Implementation of this option would require less work for municipal departments as it doesn’t include an extended road closure and will not have the same issues with parking, traffic flow, and fire department response as in 2023. Businesses on adjacent streets will still have the option to set up public patios regulated by the Lease Encroachment and Property Use Policy. As most activities would take place on the riverfront and wharf little to no parking spaces would be affected by the town square on this location.’ – Stéphanie Chevalier, Whitehorse Economic Development Coordinator
If the town square is moved to the riverfront, there’s still an option for temporary closures along Front Street to facilitate events on a case by case basis. The town square discussion will return to council next week, Monday, February 12th.
