Open Air Dunlop. How a simple idea of pedestrianizing a downtown street brought hope and financial recovery for many businesses and a much-needed escape from pandemic restrictions.
As a member of the BIA in Downtown Barrie, I get to be a part of some amazing projects designed to activate, support and celebrate our downtown. One of those projects was the streetscape transformation in 2020! Although it did hinder businesses and pedestrian flow, I was amazed to see the creativity and resilience of some of our amazing downtown stores, as well as see the intentionality of the construction company and the City to keep downtown open!
And then we hit the Pandemic. Ironically those who pivoted and innovated with the streetscape project used those insights and plans into the new restrictions and held on – and some even thrived. We recognize not all could pivot as easily and sadly, some businesses closed. As a BIA member and Board member, those closings are painful on many levels.
All that said, these past 2 years have been hard on small businesses and especially those unique one-of-a-kind shops in the heart of our city, our downtown. Barrie’s downtown has always been known for its little gems and they shine for their great food, awe-inspiring art, unique, local retail and world-known business services. All just a short walk to the beautiful Kempenfet Bay.
This is where I get to bring up one of the most successful downtown initiatives the BIA has ever done. Namely, making Dunlop Street a pedestrian-only zone originally in 2020 between Mulcaster Street and the Five Points intersection.
Photo Credit: Downtown Barrie BIA @downtownbarrie
The idea has been bounced around for years and attempts to block off the street have come with mixed reactions and mediocre results, but something special happened this time!
Last year we saw record numbers for a “non-event.” No special guests, street entertainers or live shows. Nothing but car-free streets, people, and open stores!
The Stats
The 2020 pilot of Open Air Dunlop took place over 5 Saturdays and brought over 20,000 people down… during a pandemic! According to Meltwater (media metrics tracker), so far, we’ve got a news media reach of over 53 million.
Beginning June 12th and running every Saturday throughout the summer, a portion of Dunlop Street will be closed to vehicle traffic and open for you to explore on foot or by bike!
For 2021, the total approximate attendance so far is 73,170 people.
The BIA conducted a survey and was extremely delighted to see these numbers come back.
- 51.7% of businesses who responded to our feedback forms reported an increase in foot traffic by a lot.
- 29.5% of businesses who responded to our feedback forms reported an increase in foot traffic by a little.
- 53.3% ‘’ reported an increase in sales by a lot.
- 32.3% ‘’ reported an increase in sales by a little.
Photo Credit: Downtown Barrie BIA @downtownbarrie
Feedback from Businesses:
“This is a great event. It should happen every Saturday all summer long.”
“The more inclusive of our Downtown neighbourhood, the BETTER! Barrie is definitely an all-season community and destination, so let’s keep it going all year long!”
“Love Open Air! Much needed activity for residents and great for businesses! Thank you :)”
Most of the people coming downtown were local to Barrie and Simcoe County. We’ve had a few visitors from Aurora, Toronto and even as far as Vancouver, but it seems that our own residents are coming down to Open Air Dunlop to support their own downtown business community and get reacquainted with a new street while enjoying the historic vibe and beautiful lakeshore.
In 2021 we decided to open up the West end as well and so for 9 weeks in the summer, every Saturday we get to enjoy this. And this year, it looks like everyone is!
“We are thrilled to be hosting Open Air Dunlop a week ahead of schedule,” says Kelly McKenna, Executive Director of the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA). “We’re creating a safer and physically distanced downtown so the public can support the incredible and truly resilient businesses who are ready to welcome them back. Open Air Dunlop will be happening every Saturday all summer long for the public to check out our one-of-a-kind shops and enjoy a meal on a patio. We can’t wait to see you downtown!”
The closing of streets does cost… a lot! But the BIA along with the City and other community partners are looking to invest in special bollards to minimize the need for manned cross streets while keeping them safe for pedestrians and allowing for quick access in case of any emergencies.
So, what’s next for Open Air Dunlop?
Now that Ontario has entered Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopening, Open Air Dunlop is seeing a little more programming too. “We are excited to bring some additional pieces to downtown Barrie each Saturday for the public to enjoy,” mentioned Kelly McKenna, Executive Director of the Downtown Barrie BIA. “We’ve got some programming at the Meridian Place Stage, exciting pop-up performances, and, of course, there’s the thrilling Ghost Watchers tour with Theatre By The Bay and the community tents at Meridian Place as well. Head on down and discover your City!”
When you head downtown for Open Air Dunlop, look for personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitation stations that are provided along Dunlop Street East as well as signage with reminders of recommended health and safety measures that the public is asked to follow, including physical distancing, washing hands often and wearing masks.
The big question is, “Can we make a major section of Dunlop street permanently closed to cars?” Many cities around the world have seen amazing success in pedestrianizing sections of their downtowns. Stay tuned for more opportunities to join in, in these conversations.
What the pandemic has shown us is that business and grand scale events are not what people really need. They just wanted the time and space to move around, not inside, feel safe and see others. Just being outdoors downtown has offered many people a first-time glimpse of the new streetscape as well as seeing real live people in 3D for the first time in over a year.
This Saturday, August 14, 2021, you can catch the Barrie & District Association of Realtors® Team at Open Air Dunlop sharing the Your North Life initiative and giving away some swag in collaboration with Beaver Rock Coffee!
For more information on the BIA and Open Air Dunlop, go to https://downtownbarrie.ca/openairdunlop/
Author Information:
Chad Ballantyne
BIA Board Member
Owner & Creative Director, Rhubarb Media