The downtown business community came out Wednesday to present in front of the Governance and Priorities Committee to help convince city councillors to move the new proposed BRT bus route on Third Avenue over to First Avenue. The proposed lanes on both Broadway Avenue and Third Avenue would include bus-only lanes which would result in the loss of parking in front of the businesses on both streets.

Brent Penner, Executive Director of Downtown YXE says multiple business within the downtown core approve the idea of moving the BRT lanes to First from Third Avenue.
He adds having Midtown Plaza on board with the idea says a lot given the amount of city blocks the mall takes up.

“Midtown Plaza who is a, you know a land owner of almost well 3, almost 4 blocks along one side of First Avenue and they’re supportive of First Avenue and we think that goes a long way in once again making First Avenue a more viable option than Third.”

Also discussed at the meeting Wednesday was possibly implementing permanent bike lanes on 4th Avenue.
The street currently has temporary bike lanes that were installed a few years ago.

NSBA Executive Director, Keith Moen says moving the BRT bus lanes over to 1st Avenue would then provide the opportunity for permanent bike lanes to be established on 3rd Avenue rather than 4th.

No final decisions were made by the committee at the five hour meeting on the two matters and a final decision is expected to be made in the fall.