Weekends on Argyle Street will be car-free this summer

Argyle Street will be the “fun street of Canada,” promises Halifax mayor Mike Savage.

City council voted Tuesday for “routine non-special event” closures of Argyle Street this summer. The road will be closed off to vehicles between Prince and Blowers from noon on Friday to midnight on Sunday during July and August.

The pilot project was brought to council by the Downtown Halifax Business Commission in order to prioritize pedestrians during the busy summer season.

At its own expense, the business commission will collect data during the street closures—including the opinion of visitors, businesses and property owners—and report back to council before May of next year.

“This is a test,” deputy mayor Waye Mason said Tuesday. “If it works, it’ll be extended further in the season—extended more time and more days. We’ll see how that goes.”

The block has been closed down for special events a handful of times since the shared Argyle/Grafton streetscaping project was completed last fall.

Despite initial complaints about the construction, that streetscaping has seemingly proved popular with local businesses. It was also touted by StreetsBlog as one of 2017’s Best Urban Street Transformations.

The idea of increasing the number of vehicular closures on Argyle was, for the most part, embraced by council on Tuesday.

Concerns from David Hendsbee about a lack of accessible parking were brushed off by staff, who pointed to an accessible drop-off space on Sackville Street available to patrons of Neptune Theatre.

“This is a very good thing for safe outdoor fun in downtown Halifax,” said Matt Whitman. “I think it’s part of our charm and our draw to be a fun downtown.”

Council previously voted back in February to allow alcohol to be served on Argyle and Grafton Streets during closures for special events.