Allow charges could mood want as Kamloops companies contemplate patio extensions | Radio NL

An prolonged sidewalk on Victoria Road in downtown Kamloops. (Picture by way of Victor Kaisar)

A majority of downtown enterprise which have an present patio extension plan to maintain utilizing it sooner or later.

That’s based on the outcomes of a survey commissioned by the town of Kamloops and performed by the Kamloops Central Enterprise Enchancment Affiliation.

“[A total of] 25 mentioned sure and 9 mentioned no, so that’s fairly vital,” KCBIA Government Director Howie Reimer mentioned, noting 34 of 41 eligible companies responded to the survey which was performed by telephone, in particular person, and by electronic mail.

“Nonetheless, while you ask if there was a allow payment related to conserving the present patio extension, would you continue to wish to maintain it? Solely eight mentioned sure, six mentioned relying on value, and eight mentioned no.”

Again in 2020 and once more in 2021, the town introduced within the expanded patio program to assist companies get well misplaced seating attributable to COVID-19 restrictions, which have all been lifted. This system noticed the addition of curb letdowns in parking areas on metropolis streets at a value of about $197,000.

There have additionally been 43 parking stalls displaced downtown, which is costing as much as $15,000 per thirty days in misplaced parking income, based on the Metropolis.

Reimer says a majority of respondents additionally mentioned they’d be okay with a $100 month-to-month payment to maintain these patios, with the cash meant to offset a few of that misplaced parking income.

“That’s half of what they’re paying in Kelowna,” Reimer added.

Damaged additional down by enterprise sort, 26 restaurant or cafes responded to the survey, together with 5 lounges, bars, pubs, and nightclubs, with one bakery. Two different companies had been labeled as “different” by the KCBIA.

Sixteen of the companies that responded had been in favour of annual patio extension permits being issued. One other 13 had been in favour of it being issued from April 1 to Sept. 30. 4 had been in favour of month-to-month permits, whereas one was not in favour of it being issued in any respect.

“Those who say it’s about vibrancy, that it’s the twenty first Century so ‘let’s get with the occasions’, and that whether it is ok in different cities the place they shutdown blocks, [it is good enough for Kamloops.] After which there are others that say ‘completely not. Not sufficient persons are utilizing them. We would like our parking.’”

The survey outcomes will go earlier than Kamloops Metropolis Council by early subsequent month, although Reimer says a call isn’t anticipated till after the October election.

“I want to see type of a compromise,” he mentioned.

“There are totally different ways in which you are able to do it but it surely has to work for almost all, and the need of the downtown companies.”

You’ll be capable to discover the complete survey outcomes right here.