What’s Next for Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone?

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Each summer since 2020, the Town of Banff has created a pedestrian zone by temporarily closing to vehicles two blocks of Banff Avenue, first as a pandemic safety measure, then as an economic recovery attraction and visitor experience.

Currently, the Town does not plan to bring back the pedestrian zone next year, but Town Council wants public feedback on the features people liked and didn't like from the pedestrian zone, and permanent infrastructure improvements that could be incorporated into a future for the 2-block area.

The Town hosted public discussions, meetings, and online engagement to gather community perspectives on their experiences with the Pedestrian Zone. Banff Town Council also asked for concept designs to be developed to provide an idea of what a permanent zone could look like and to highlight features for upcoming community discussions. These concepts were used to help people identify features for future changes.

Public Input

Consultation is now closed. Members of the public are welcome to provide additional comments to Town Council on December 18, in the meeting dedicated to this topic. The meeting in Town Hall starts at 9 a.m.

The Town launched a public discussion on the Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone. We asked about how you experienced the Pedestrian Zone these past four summers. We wanted to know about working in the zone, passing through, living nearby, meeting people, shopping and dining or just hanging out.

Town of Banff representatives popped up around town to talk with people in the community about their experiences with the Pedestrian Zone.

Online Survey

We asked people to Complete the online survey between October 18 and November 27, and be entered to win a draw for dinner at the Juniper Bistro. The Survey is now closed.

Community Workshop

The Town hosted a public Workshop on Tuesday, November 21, for residents to learn more about the impacts, mitigations, and possible design concepts for Banff Avenue in the downtown and future potential pedestrian elements.

Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone Public Workshop
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 6-8 p.m.
Banff Park Lodge - Ballroom (Registration required for planning enough seating and refreshments)

Focus Groups - For people and groups unable to attend the main public workshop

These sessions will cover the same questions and presentation as the main workshop

  • Banff Resident 18-30 years old - Tuesday, November 28, 5 - 6 p.m., Catharine Robb Whyte Building
  • Banff Seniors - Wednesday, November 29, 4 - 5 p.m., Catharine Robb Whyte Building
  • Banff residents and businesses/people who drive for a living (trades vehicles, tour operators, taxis, etc.) - Friday, December 1, 3 - 4 p.m., Banff Legion, Downstairs
  • Banff Businesses, BLLHA / BLLT boards and members - Tuesday, December 5, 2-3 p.m., Mount Royal Hotel, Norquay Room
  • Town Staff meeting, November 29, Operations

Background:

This Pedestrian Zone started as a response to the COVID pandemic, aimed to create more space for people to safely social distance in the downtown and to provide customers to restaurants and retailers safe outdoor space in a period with indoors restrictions. With the lifting of COVID restrictions and the return of tourism, the Town continued the vehicle closure of the two blocks from May to October, as a pilot project in 2022-23 to allow a better experience for residents and visitors in the summer, where up to 40,000 people per day walk the two-block area. The pedestrian zone is a busy attraction in summer months.

In December 2022, Banff Town Council confirmed the 2023 return of the summer pedestrian zone, with an increase in the sidewalk seating and display permit fees for restaurants and retailers in the zone. Council also asked administration to return to the December 2023 meeting of council with feedback on the pedestrian zone and design options for a potential permanent pedestrian zone.

In the summer of 2023, the Town contracted Scatliff +Miller + Murray Inc. to create concept design options of potential infrastructure and landscape changes to the zone that could improve the overall pedestrian experience. These concepts will be presented for public discussion in the November 21 workshop.

Learn more about the 2023 pedestrian zone(External link)

Each summer since 2020, the Town of Banff has created a pedestrian zone by temporarily closing to vehicles two blocks of Banff Avenue, first as a pandemic safety measure, then as an economic recovery attraction and visitor experience.

Currently, the Town does not plan to bring back the pedestrian zone next year, but Town Council wants public feedback on the features people liked and didn't like from the pedestrian zone, and permanent infrastructure improvements that could be incorporated into a future for the 2-block area.

The Town hosted public discussions, meetings, and online engagement to gather community perspectives on their experiences with the Pedestrian Zone. Banff Town Council also asked for concept designs to be developed to provide an idea of what a permanent zone could look like and to highlight features for upcoming community discussions. These concepts were used to help people identify features for future changes.

Public Input

Consultation is now closed. Members of the public are welcome to provide additional comments to Town Council on December 18, in the meeting dedicated to this topic. The meeting in Town Hall starts at 9 a.m.

The Town launched a public discussion on the Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone. We asked about how you experienced the Pedestrian Zone these past four summers. We wanted to know about working in the zone, passing through, living nearby, meeting people, shopping and dining or just hanging out.

Town of Banff representatives popped up around town to talk with people in the community about their experiences with the Pedestrian Zone.

Online Survey

We asked people to Complete the online survey between October 18 and November 27, and be entered to win a draw for dinner at the Juniper Bistro. The Survey is now closed.

Community Workshop

The Town hosted a public Workshop on Tuesday, November 21, for residents to learn more about the impacts, mitigations, and possible design concepts for Banff Avenue in the downtown and future potential pedestrian elements.

Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone Public Workshop
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 6-8 p.m.
Banff Park Lodge - Ballroom (Registration required for planning enough seating and refreshments)

Focus Groups - For people and groups unable to attend the main public workshop

These sessions will cover the same questions and presentation as the main workshop

  • Banff Resident 18-30 years old - Tuesday, November 28, 5 - 6 p.m., Catharine Robb Whyte Building
  • Banff Seniors - Wednesday, November 29, 4 - 5 p.m., Catharine Robb Whyte Building
  • Banff residents and businesses/people who drive for a living (trades vehicles, tour operators, taxis, etc.) - Friday, December 1, 3 - 4 p.m., Banff Legion, Downstairs
  • Banff Businesses, BLLHA / BLLT boards and members - Tuesday, December 5, 2-3 p.m., Mount Royal Hotel, Norquay Room
  • Town Staff meeting, November 29, Operations

Background:

This Pedestrian Zone started as a response to the COVID pandemic, aimed to create more space for people to safely social distance in the downtown and to provide customers to restaurants and retailers safe outdoor space in a period with indoors restrictions. With the lifting of COVID restrictions and the return of tourism, the Town continued the vehicle closure of the two blocks from May to October, as a pilot project in 2022-23 to allow a better experience for residents and visitors in the summer, where up to 40,000 people per day walk the two-block area. The pedestrian zone is a busy attraction in summer months.

In December 2022, Banff Town Council confirmed the 2023 return of the summer pedestrian zone, with an increase in the sidewalk seating and display permit fees for restaurants and retailers in the zone. Council also asked administration to return to the December 2023 meeting of council with feedback on the pedestrian zone and design options for a potential permanent pedestrian zone.

In the summer of 2023, the Town contracted Scatliff +Miller + Murray Inc. to create concept design options of potential infrastructure and landscape changes to the zone that could improve the overall pedestrian experience. These concepts will be presented for public discussion in the November 21 workshop.

Learn more about the 2023 pedestrian zone(External link)

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    What’s Next for the Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone?

    PRIVACY: Any personal information provided in this survey is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, Section 33(c). The information you provide will be shared only in aggregate form with no connection to individuals and will be used for planning purposes around Banff Community Plan. No personal information will be shared with anyone outside the Town project team. If you have any questions regarding the collection and use of this information, please contact the Town of Banff Director of Communications at: communications@banff.ca(External link) or 403.762.1207.

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Page last updated: 18 Dec 2023, 09:43 AM