Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area Receives Funding Through The Rural Economic Development Program

The Ontario government is committing nearly $1 million in cost-share funding to help communities like Peterborough-Kawartha diversify their economies, retain skilled workers and create jobs, through a new targeted intake of the Rural Economic Development (RED) program.  

The intake is directed at not-for-profit organizations with a mandate towards regional economic development, and Peterborough is among those benefitting from support for local projects funded under the RED program, as the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is receiving $23,921 for decorative lighting to entice more people downtown.

MPP Dave Smith pictured with Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director

“Our downtown has faced unprecedented challenges in the last several months”, says MPP Dave Smith. “Critical investments in making the downtown brighter, safer and more inviting for the Christmas season is another step forward in our economic recovery.”   

"I am very grateful that with the combination of the RED funding that we were able to secure along with installation support from the City of Peterborough, the DBIA will be able to bring a record amount of decorative holiday lights to the downtown,” says Terry “Mr. Downtown” Guiel. “These new holiday lights will bring a bright, yet more warm ambience to the downtown than the previous ones".

"With all the stresses our community has been under this past year, we could sure all use something to help brighten the spirit and these beautiful lights should help with that while hopefully attracting some holiday shoppers to the area,” adds Guiel.

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Bollards To Be Removed In Downtown Peterborough

Bollards that were installed on some downtown streets to create additional pedestrian space for physical distancing will be removed over the next two weeks to prepare for winter maintenance, according to a City of Peterborough release. 

The installation on Water Street, between Simcoe Street and Hunter Street, will be removed the week of October 13th and the remaining installations on other streets will be removed over a few days starting Wednesday, October 21st.

PTBOCanada file photo

With the removal of the bollards, the sidewalks and streets and parking will revert to their typical spaces. Businesses with agreements with the City are able to have patios in assigned sidewalk spaces until October 20th. 

PTBOCanada file photo

The bollards need to be removed to get ready for winter. Residents and visitors are reminded that public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 remain in effect, including:

• Maintain physical distance of 2 metres from others not in your household

• Wear a face covering in indoor and outdoor settings where physical distancing may be a challenge

• Stay home if you do not feel well

• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently

Restaurants are taking reservations, which helps ensure there are no lineups on sidewalks as a barrier to physical distancing.

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Check Out The New Interactive Art Installation In Downtown Peterborough

There is a new public space at the corner of King and Water streets in downtown Peterborough that is open to the public. The DBIA encourages people to get up-close with the art pieces and the native plants, and enjoy the space.

Formerly an underused paved area, this piece of land has been transformed into green space in partnership with GreenUP and other community partners. This site houses two beautiful art installations as part of the Jiimaan’ndewemgadnong* (the place where the heart of the canoe beats) Canoe Art Project. The art canoe and transformer box art in the park are the work of Indigenous artist Tia Cavanagh.  

Indigenous artist Tia Cavanagh poses with her creation (photo courtesy DBIA)

While visiting the site—the art installations there were generously funded by Kim and Mark Zippel—you can call 705-775-7826 to listen to canoe stories told by three local Anishinaabe women. 

“This project is a beautiful addition to our downtown and has transformed that corner to create a small park with some interesting and engaging art,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area.

The site was transformed into a pocket park last year with the help of community volunteers, local organizations and businesses. If you are interested in being part of future projects or to learn more, contact Dawn Pond via email here or check out the Downtown Vibrancy webpage.

*This name was born of community discussion and translated beautifully in to the local Mizi-Zaagiing Anishinaabeg dialect of Ojibwe by Jack Hoggarth (Cultural Archivist at Curve Lake Cultural Centre) and Mary Alice Taylor (Elder of Curve Lake First Nation).

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The Next Phase Of Downtown Street Modifications Has Begun

The City of Peterborough says in a release that the next phase of implementing the downtown street modifications to help people stay safe with physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic will be completed by Friday, June 26th, with the installation of signage currently underway.

Delineators marking the new divide between roads, on-street parking and expanded pedestrian space were installed last weekend. By modifying the road layout, the City is creating more space for pedestrians to provide an opportunity for physical distancing—staying at least two metres apart from others—in the downtown, where narrow sidewalks would typically make that challenging.

Photo by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada

To do this, some former parking lanes have been converted to temporary sidewalks and new parking bays have been created in the closed through lane. Signs being installed this week will clarify the parking bay locations, the locations where new loading zones have been established, and new accessible parking spaces.  

The changes are temporary during the pandemic. They were designed in collaboration with Peterborough Public Health and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. Along with the road design modifications, the speed limit in the affected areas has been reduced to 30 kilometres an hour.

Photo by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada

Even with the changes, there are still about 385 on-street parking spaces in the downtown, with 100 of these spaces located within areas affected by the downtown street modifications. 

In addition, there are almost 1,200 parking spaces in municipal parking garages and about 400 parking spaces in municipal parking lots in the central area. Click here to view the parking map.

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Bold New Plan Will Make Downtown Peterborough Largest Open Air Shopping Experience In Region

The City of Peterborough is adding more pedestrian space and flexible-use areas that give businesses an opportunity for some limited outside space as part of a re-working of public space in the downtown through a plan developed in collaboration with the Downtown Business Improvement Area and Peterborough Public Health.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists should watch for signs and markers indicating changes to sidewalks, cycling lanes, on-street parking and road lanes that are being implemented over the next several days.

Work has already begun to mark the roads where delineators will be installed to separate the expanded pedestrian space from vehicular traffic. As the equipment arrives, it will be installed in phases through sections of the downtown with George Street first, followed by areas on King, Charlotte, Water and Hunter streets, in that order. The changes are expected to be fully implemented by the end of next week.

File photo of Hunter Street by PTBOCanada

This bold plan will make Downtown Peterborough the largest open air shopping experience in the region, says Terry Guiel, Downtown Business Improvement Area Executive Director.

“Downtown will feature more than 30 new or expanded patios, allowing patrons a safe and enjoyable dining experience,” Guiel says. “The patios are essential to help bring staff back to work and to draw attention to the downtown in a vibrant way that will also increase foot traffic for our retailers.”

Photo courtesy DBIA

For vehicular traffic, the changes are largely in the following areas:

• George Street between Murray Street and Sherbrooke Street, which will be reduced to one lane southbound for vehicular traffic

• Water Street, between Simcoe Street and Hunter Street, which will be reduced to one lane northbound for vehicular traffic

• Hunter Street between Aylmer Street and George Street, which will become a one-way street with one westbound lane

• Charlotte Street between Aylmer Street and George Street, which will be become a one-way street with one eastbound lane.

The cycling lanes on George Street and Water Street remain in place as part of the changes, which are temporary as part of the measures being put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reduced road space for vehicles will create more space for pedestrians and flexible-use areas for businesses, which could be used for patios or pop-up commercial space through a fast-tracked application process with the City.

File photo by PTBOCanada

Helping people follow public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic as activity increases in the community during the Province’s re-opening framework is the overarching goal of the plan.

The plan considers several priorities, such as pedestrian space, business activity, equitable use of space, accessibility, commercial deliveries, construction, and emergency access.

“It’s impressive to see the efforts made by both business operators and customers to follow public health measures for everyone’s safety,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “In these public settings, workers and their clients are reminded to practice physical distancing, staying at least two metres away from people who are not from the same household or same social circle.”

Dr. Salvaterra adds that even with the changes to the downtown streets, it is recommended to use a face covering to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 when physical distancing and keeping two-metres distance from others may be challenging or not possible.

ON-STREET PARKING HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN MANY AREAS

With the reconfiguration of streets, on-street parking has been maintained in many areas throughout the downtown to continue to support curbside pickup and deliveries. Some new commercial loading zones are being established to help businesses that rely on deliveries and these will be strictly enforced.

While on-street parking and parking in surface lots will continue to be free, with less on-street spaces available the two-hour parking limit will also be enforced to make sure that the available spaces are there to support business customers.

Visitors and employees working in the downtown are encouraged to use the City parking garages and surface lots and walk to their destinations. Paying for parking is still required at municipal parking garages, and the City will continue to offer one hour of free parking at all parking garages.

The map of the changes to roads, sidewalks and on-street parking in the downtown is available on the City’s website at www.peterborough.ca/downtownptbo.

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George Street No Longer Closed Downtown For Weekend, Re-Opens Early To Vehicular Traffic

The weekend closure of George Street to vehicular traffic downtown has been cancelled. The road is being immediately re-opened to vehicles for the remainder of the weekend, Saturday, June 13th and Sunday, June 14th.

The City of Peterborough made the decision on Thursday to close sections of George Street downtown to vehicular traffic for the weekend as an immediate action to coincide with the Province’s Stage 2 framework for the re-opening of the province that was announced on Monday, June 8th.

“It was an attempt to provide additional pedestrian space to help people feel more comfortable and safe coming back into the downtown during the COVID-19 pandemic—and it also provided an opportunity for pop-up patios for businesses on George Street through a fast-track process,” says Brendan Wedley, Manager of Communication Services. “Based on feedback after the first day, the City is reopening the road to vehicles. The City apologizes for the confusion.”

People are encouraged to physical distance—that is, stay at least 2 metres away from people who aren’t from your household or social circle of 10—as much as possible when walking through the downtown and passing by patios along sidewalks. When physical distancing isn’t possible, please consider wearing a mask.

A longer-term solution for re-working public space in the downtown will be put in place over the next couple of weeks to provide additional space for pedestrians by changing vehicle traffic lanes and on-street parking. The plan, which was created in collaboration with Peterborough Public Health and the Downtown Business Improvement Area, is available on the City’s website.

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George Street In Downtown Closes This Weekend To Help People With Physical Distancing

George Street will be closed from McDonnel Street to King Street from 3 p.m. on Friday, June 12th until Sunday night to help people with physical distancing as businesses resume more activities under Stage 2 of the Province’s framework for re-opening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The purpose of the street closure is only to provide space for pedestrians to stay a safe distance away from each other—not for street activities or structures. Residents are reminded that spaces created by road closures are smoke-free according to City by-law.

George Street

The weekend George Street closure is an interim measure while the City works to put in place broader changes to increase sidewalks space to assist with physical distancing by changing vehicle lanes and on-street parking. The broader changes are expected to be implemented within the next couple of weeks as the City acquires and installs barriers between vehicle lanes and the new pedestrian spaces.

A map of the planned broader changes to sidewalks, vehicle lanes, and on-street parking is available at peterborough.ca. The changes were developed in collaboration with Peterborough Public Health and the Downtown Business Improvement Area.

Besides providing more pedestrian space, the broader changes will allow businesses to work with the City through a new streamlined application process to make use of some sidewalk space to offer services outside, while maintaining space for physical distancing and following public health guidelines.

George Street

PATIO REGULATIONS

-> Currently, only previously approved patios are able to establish on downtown sidewalks as the first phase in a phased approach.

-> For businesses looking to add new patios or expand previously approved patios, a new streamlined application process has been set up to quickly review and approve requests that meet public health guidelines and essential requirements for the use of the public property. The application process will be available starting next week.

-> Patio operators are asked to follow the Province’s guidelines on the safe re-opening under the emergency situation and public health guidelines including:

• Restricting the number of patrons on the patio to a maximum of 50% of the previously approved capacity.

• Ensure physical distancing of at least 2 metres between patrons from different households.

• Using reservations – no lineups as space is limited and lineups onto the sidewalk will make it difficult for physical distancing.

• Limiting the number of patrons allowed in the outdoor space at one time.

• Ensuring enough space between tables, including to allow for movement.

• Access to indoor facilities is limited to patio/outdoor dining area access, food pickup, payment, washrooms or other health and safety purposes.

• Not using overhead structures such as tents and canopies that may impede with pedestrians and physical distancing (using umbrellas is encouraged to provide shade).

• Ensuring tables and chairs are at least one metre from the outer limit of the patio, in order to facilitate physical distancing.

Patio owners and operators are reminded that smoking and vaping are prohibited on all patios, and within 9 metres of the patio.

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The One City Peterborough Program Returns To Downtown

The One City Peterborough clean team is returning to Downtown Peterborough, and the program will feature a team of people with various barriers to employment who will be hired to enhance the downtown streetscape through added cleaning efforts.

In 2019, the DBIA issued a new request for proposals for the downtown Streetscape Maintenance Contract with an additional request that proposals include a social enterprise component. The DBIA re-hired Clint’s Property Maintenance in partnership with One City Peterborough in January. The partnership will see One City Team members working with the Clint’s Property Maintenance team in the busy, warmer months.

Photo courtesy DBIA

The One City Peterborough program aims to help people with barriers to employment to get back into the workforce, including connecting team members with local employment agencies and potential employers.

“We’re excited to have One City Peterborough back,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA. “This partnership with Clint’s Property Maintenance shows what organizations can do when they add social procurement into their contracts. Not only are we going to end up with a cleaner downtown, but we’re going to help who really need it. We’re going to make downtown stronger.”

Photo courtesy DBIA

The One City Peterborough team will be downtown during the day with cleaning carts sweeping sidewalks, picking up litter, removing old posters from lamp posts, safely disposing of needles, and other micro-cleaning tasks.

The One City Peterborough program initially launched in 2018 with both a cleaning team and a pair of outreach workers to reach out to vulnerable people downtown. It has since changed in its configuration a couple times.

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Enforcement Of The Two-Hour Limit For On-Street Parking Resumes

To support commercial activity in the downtown with stores re-opening for curbside pickup, enforcement of the two-hour limit for on-street parking will resume on Monday, May 11th in downtown Peterborough.

The two-hour limit for on-street parking helps ensure the spaces are used for short-term parking, which increases the availability of parking for customers. Enforcement of regulations for other parking infractions, such as no stopping zones, no parking areas and commercial loading spaces will also continue to support downtown businesses and promote safety.

While enforcement activities are resuming, free parking for on-street parking and surface lots in the central area will continue for now as a temporary measure to reduce the potential for spread of COVID-19.

Convenient access to parking is important to restaurants offering take-out and retailers reopening for curbside pickup following the Province of Ontario Orders and associated guidelines.

"The DBIA appreciates the steps taken by the City of Peterborough to provide free parking downtown during this crisis,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. “We believe it important to keep spaces open for our businesses so that they can do quick pick-up and deliveries which are essential for them right now.”

Peterborough Public Health recommends following these guidelines for safe curb-side pickups:

• Only send one person and stay in the car if possible
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after the pickup
• Maintain a 2-meter distance from others
• Wear a face covering, required if you have any COVID-19 symptoms
• Avoid idling your car

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Support Downtown Businesses By Purchasing Gift Cards

Many downtown business owners are struggling badly right now and need the support of the community more than ever. 

One of the biggest challenges faced by local businesses is the expenses don’t stop when the lights are turned off and the door is locked. One thing people can do to support them is buy gift cards and certificates now and spend them later when they reopen. This allows the businesses to have some cashflow to help cover current expenses.

Lisa Dixon, Owner of Black Honey on Hunter Street West

With that in mind, The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area has launched a website supportdowntownptbo.ca where you can buy gift cards and certificates from downtown businesses. Gift cards and certificates will be mailed (or emailed if electronic) to shoppers.

Visit supportdowntownptbo.ca and support your favourite downtown businesses!

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