Merchants in commercial streets are preparing for the return of pedestrian streets this summer, pleased with the liveliness and appeal it brings to their area. According to reports, commercial development companies (SDCs) in Quebec wish to renew the experience of pedestrianization of part of their artery during the summer season, with the exception of the SDC of Montcalm. Other SDCs have chosen to replicate the experience, and citizens and traders have found it beneficial. The SDCs have shared their proposals with the City of Quebec, which will decide soon. Pedestrian streets will be held in several districts during certain periods.
Pleased with the liveliness and appeal it brings to their area, merchants in most commercial streets are preparing for the return of pedestrian streets this summer.
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The newspaper learned that the commercial development companies (SDC) of Quebec wish to renew the experience of the pedestrianization of part of their artery during the summer season, with the exception of the SDC of Montcalm.
Satisfied with the successes achieved over the past few summers, the other SDCs have chosen to replicate the experience.
Citizens are mostly in favor, and traders have also found their account, found The newspaper.
Public markets
In Limoilou, Martin Claveau, from the SDC Vieux-Limoilou/3e Avenue, indicates that the population greatly appreciates.
From the beginning of June, the 3e Avenue will be pedestrianized between 10e Street and 11e Street, sector where the restaurant shops are concentrated.
Also, on Sundays, the market will be back and “there’s a good chance there will be a craftsmen’s market, every other week, upstairs,” he reveals.
The merchants even intend to improve the animation so that there is no downtime. Yoga, choir, dance will be activities offered free of charge.
“In the general population, it is well seen. And restaurateurs like to have a permanent terrace. Last year, most traders were happy with that. »
In the Old Port, Richard Samson, general manager of the Association des gens d’affaires, announces “with joy” the return of a portion of Saint-Paul reserved for pedestrians from Thursday to Sunday, starting in June.
“It’s a total success. It has become very popular. With the fountain and the avenue Saint-Paul, it’s very pleasant. People adopted. We put temporary terraces, we close the street to have atmosphere. »
Among the activities, he notes the Folk Expression Festival, the vintage weekend and its antique cars, the Night of the galleries.
The opening of the City of Quebec is welcomed. “They were very proactive at the start of the pandemic to support businesses that were struggling. »
Satisfied merchants
On the Faubourg Saint-Jean-Baptiste side, the satisfaction of merchants on the pedestrian Saint-Jean street has increased from 54% in 2020 to 80% in 2022, noted the new president of the SDC, François Blay Martel.
“It’s still going up,” he rejoices. Residents of the neighborhood and surrounding areas are charmed by this initiative, he said, while more than 90% are in favor, according to a poll.
“We are in this current of busy arteries. We want to become a destination. »
We plan to hold the Marché du Faubourg, the Fête de la musique and poetry evenings, among others.
The merchants have even chosen to lend a hand and get involved in an activity committee on rue Saint-Jean.
The SDCs have shared their proposals with the City of Quebec, which will decide soon.
Not on Cartier
In the Cartier sector, 54% of traders were against the return of the pedestrian street, recalls Jean-Sébastien Adem, president of the SDC Quartier Montcalm.
Thus the request was made to the City of Quebec not to reproduce the experience.
According to the echoes he had from his members, 48% had experienced a drop in turnover with the pedestrianization.
“The City had to come back to us because we were told that it is the City that has the last word in this regard. We have not had confirmation from the City as to whether it will be back or not. »
Place for pedestrians in several districts*
- Saint-Roch: rue du Parvis, rue Mgr-Gauvreau, rue Notre-Dame-des-Anges and rue Saint-Joseph Est
- Old Port: rue Saint-Paul
- Old Limoilou: 3e Avenue
- Upper Town: Grande Allée Est
- Saint-Sauveur: Saint-Vallier Street West
- Faubourg Saint-Jean: rue Saint-Jean (between Claire-Fontaine and Honoré-Mercier) and intramural
*During certain periods
In conclusion, it seems that pedestrian streets will be making a comeback this summer in various commercial areas throughout Quebec. The success of previous years has encouraged commercial development companies to renew the experience, and citizens and traders alike are generally in favor of the initiative. While there are some exceptions, such as the SDC of Montcalm, most merchants are happy with the increase in liveliness and appeal that the pedestrianization brings to their area. With activities such as public markets, festivals, and free entertainment, there will be no shortage of things to do for those who choose to stroll through these busy arteries. As always, if you have any information or scoops to share, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Journal de Quebec.