Art Crawl to see a pedestrianized James North this summer

A stretch of James Street North will be closed to vehicle traffic during Art Crawl this summer.

Hamilton city council voted unanimously in favour of a pilot project Wednesday that will see the pedestrianization of the thoroughfare between Cannon and Murray streets on the evenings of June 9, July 14 and Aug. 11.

The project, pitched by Ward 2 Coun. Cameron Kroetsch, will cost the city $30,000 and be funded by the tax stabilization reserve.

Kroetsch had originally planned to pitch the closure for between Cannon and Barton streets, however, that route was amended Wednesday. The closure was originally pitched for 6 to 9 p.m., but was extended to 11 p.m.

Kroetsch previously told The Spectator the pilot project aimed to make the grassroots event a safer experience" for attendees.

Art Crawl, in its current format, sees hundreds of vendors set up tables along the walkways as thousands of people pack the sidewalks, going in and out of local shops, eateries and galleries on the second Friday of every month.

Kroetsch said some vendors are pushed to the edge of the sidewalk, which poses the risk of people or tables falling off the curb and into live traffic. And with the crowded sidewalks, there is less space for strollers and mobility devices to safely get through.

It's going to make this a safer experience for everybody," said Kroetsch. And frankly, hopefully sets a tone of how we can close streets down during festivals."

Ward 12 Coun. Craig Cassar described the project as a great example of giving the city back to people," noting that vehicles are often prioritized in the community.

Cyclists will be required to walk their bike through the street closure, said Jason Thorne, general manager of planning and economic development, responding to concerns from Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls.

Ward 9 Coun. Brad Clark offered his support for the pilot, noting it was something council should have put in place long ago, given it's about pedestrian safety." Clark asked staff about what safety measures would be put in place on the road in order to protect residents.

This is a huge event with very large numbers," said Clark. Ideally, we want to ensure that if we're closing the road, the residents and pedestrians know that it's safe to walk on the road."

Mike Field, the city's acting director of transportation operations and maintenance, said staff would use traditional means" to close the roadway, pointing to barricades and barrels typically used during other events.

Field noted that due to the boundaries being at signalized intersections, paid-duty police officers would likely be placed at those spots to direct traffic.

I think we're well covered as far as the safety of the users of the road leading up to the closure, but within the closure as well," said Field.

The pilot was originally set to cost $25,000 and be funded by the Ward 2 budget, however, the cost was amended with the adjustment of the length of closure and the funding change was prompted by Clark.

The Stoney Creek councillor suggested the safety measures should instead be funded by a city reserve as Art Crawl is a city-wide festival."

It just doesn't make sense," said Clark. If we start going down that road, our budgets will be nothing before very long."

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com