Early morning view from Victoria Avenue in downtown Belleville. The riverside lane is open to traffic but will flow south only between Victoria and Bridge Street West. (Photo: Quinte News)
Retailers and restaurants in downtown Belleville, along with the Downtown District BIA, are preparing for summertime business and fun over the next few days.
Al Fresco on Front will bring a festive atmosphere to the downtown in July and August featuring food, entertainment, and in August, a high tech audio/video installation.
The preparations to date have seen two parklets created, with one outside the Lark and the other outside Gourmet Diem. Two more parklets will be installed this week.
One lane of Front Street, between Victoria Avenue and Bridge Street West, has been closed to traffic and the other lane will carry traffic southbound only.
The closed lane will allow shopkeepers to display their wares out on the street and allow more and extended patios for food and drink.
The extra space will also allow easier physical distancing for people as they browse.
Executive Director of the Downtown District BIA, Marijo Cuerrier, says having one lane open to traffic will allow some parking spaces for people with mobility challenges.
“We really hope that able-bodied people will use the municipal parking lots available along the river and elsewhere so that the spaces right on Front Street can be handy for people who don’t move around as well.”
The official launch of Al Fresco on Front is slated for July 9.
