Halifaxs Argyle Street to get more foot-friendly

When the weather warms up and winter weary Halifax residents flock to sunny patios for a dose of vitamin D and a drink, a downtown street could have a more pedestrian-friendly feel.

Argyle Street is slated to become the site of a shared street pilot project with wider sidewalks, benches, lighting and plants.

The citys transportation committee recommended Thursday that regional council approve the trial of an alternative street design on Argyle between Blowers and Sackville streets.

The aim is to shift Argyle from a car-dominant space to a truly public realm that emphasizes pedestrian movement, pace and activities, the Planning & Design Centre, a local non-profit group, said in a 2012 report on improving the Argyle streetscape.

The pilot project is expected to cost roughly $40,000, and will focus on gathering public feedback.

With much of Argyle already ripped up for construction of the Nova Centre, building a permanent shared street likely wouldnt cost substantially more than restoring the street to its original condition.

Coun. Waye Mason, who requested a staff report last June, expressed concern that the pilot project will only last six weeks.

He suggested assessing the shared street concept in different seasons.

Dont we want to know what that might be like when were doing snow removal? he told committee.

Those kinds of things are top of mind right now.

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Halifaxs Argyle Street to get more foot-friendly