The city of Belleville is throwing its support behind plans for a downtown summer project that will give a boost as the city reopens amid COVID-19.
At its meeting on Monday, city council decided to provide $22,000 from the grant budget to the Downtown District BIA event Al Fresco on Front Street.
The city had already given the project $25,000 from its Municipal Accommodation Tax budget.
This extra money will allow the BIA to include the Sonic Runway light art show in the summer event.
Councillor Ryan Williams told council it’s a great tourist draw, a way to bring people to the city.
Councillor Sean Kelly pointed to “renewed energy” in the city’s downtown.
Kelly said, “The downtown is also offering social benefits for people who are able to see each other, and with one lane of traffic closed it allows people to keep social distancing as well. More than ever this is the time to be back in the downtown.”
During the event, a section of Front Street will be closed in one direction for the summer.
The city has been asked to provide picnic tables to allow families to have meals together and to waive parking fees until Sept. 30.
There will be parklets and expanded patios at the restaurants.
Council also approved the use of Market Square on Fridays until 8 p.m.
