Cambridge councillor brings motion to make street closure on lower Main Street in Galt permanent

Should the closed off pedestrian area on Main Street in Cambridge be permanent?

One Cambridge councillor believes so and has tabled a motion to have staff look into making it possible. Ward 6 councillor Adam Cooper wants staff to bring back a report to look into making the street closure on Main Street between Ainslie Street and Water Street permanent year-round.

Currently, lower main street is closed between May and October and has received “overwhelming support” from the community and the Cambridge Downtown BIA, according to the motion.

Alice Drysdale, the owner of Rookery Books on Main Street, said the street closure gives her business a 15 per cent boost. She adds she is in favour of having it closed all year round, but the city would have to invest in infrastructure.

“Let’s do some permanent structures on the street because if we are going to close it all year round, it can’t look like a closed off street,” said Drysdale. “Do things that are gonna stay there all the time to get people down here and to stay down here.”

Council will debate and table the motion at their meeting on Tuesday.