Downtown Vernon’s public market is evolving.
City council gave approval Monday to the Downtown Vernon Association to hold a market Saturdays in Cenotaph Park from Victoria Day to Labour Day, and one Friday night a month on 30th Avenue.
“It’s a central location and people will be able to walk around,” said Coun. Dalvir Nahal of Cenotaph Park.
“It will be a more festive atmosphere.”
Options for the market were investigated after the city received complaints from some merchants about how business and traffic were impacted by the closure of portions of 30th Avenue every Friday night in the summer.
Nahal believes the Cenotaph Park site and only using 30th Avenue once a month will address those concerns.
“A lot of residents don’t like having roads closed.”
The Saturday market will also see existing businesses on 30th Avenue use sidewalks for outdoor cafes or to feature their merchandise and generate foot traffic.
City council has stipulated that a six-foot clear area must remain on sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians.