Amherstburg's historic business district will open up on weekends this summer.
On Monday night, town council unanimously approved a plan that includes a scenario in which several streets in the downtown area will be closed to vehicles and open for pedestrians. The plan is in response to physical distancing guidelines imposed by provincial and local health officials.
According to a blog post by Councillor Donald McArthur, the pedestrian district will link Fort Malden with the King's Navy Yard Park, allowing visitors access to the spectacular views of the Detroit River.
"The vision calls for a market-like atmosphere with buskers and outdoor musicians to complement expanded patio and retail space and increased usage of King’s Navy Yard as an active park," wrote McArthur.
Dalhousie Street would be opened up, along with the western portions of Murray Street and Richmond Street. The arrangement would begin around 5 p.m. Fridays and remain through Sunday evenings.
McArthur said the concept, dubbed Open Air Weekends, works well with the federal government's initiative to encourage visiting local attractions, as travel is still being restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Open Air Weekends on the waterfront in historic Amherstburg is definitely something that can be marketed successfully to residents from the town and across the region, looking for safe and unique entertainment and culinary experiences following the doldrums of the quarantine," wrote McArthur. "It dovetails nicely with the ‘staycationing’ initiative being championed by the federal government, which is earmarking $40 million to promote holiday travel inside Canada."
Though parking is at a premium in the area, about 550 spaces within a short walk of the Open Air zone will be made available, said McArthur.
Open Air Weekends would operate through the end of 2020, according to the town, but an opening date for such an event has not yet been finalized.
Complete information on the concept, plus Amherstburg's efforts to promote local attractions post-pandemic, is available online.