Saint Andrews is making lots of changes to the downtown in time for the tourism season.
Brad Henderson, the deputy mayor of Saint Andrews, said at first, daytrippers were asked not to come because businesses were shut down and there was such a high influx of people, essential services were being frequented for bathroom use.
He said now that businesses are prepared and New Brunswick is in a yellow phase, daytrippers are encouraged.
“It’s a perfect time to explore New Brunswick and go to communities that are in your backyard that you haven’t been to or visit attractions that you haven’t been to,” he said.
As a way to encourage daytrippers, town council made some decisions regarding downtown Water Street on Monday.
Henderson said some of the measures in the three-block radius of Water Street includes the elimination of parking and changing the street to one-way to give plenty of space to emergency vehicles and delivery drivers.
There have been barriers added on the roads to allow people to physical distance and each downtown business has eight feet of town land available to them.
“This is going to give a marked yield to downtown Saint Andrews, make it a little more vibrant and of course shoppers can just walk on the outside with lots of space and see what these local shops and restaurants have to offer,” he said.
Henderson says the barriers will make it easier for effective physical distancing and the 8 feet will help businesses safely display wares or have restaurants set up tables.
“A barrier that we had to overcome is parking. We lost about 70 parking spots but town staff has identified through private landowners opportunities to recover up to 66 of the parking spots,” he said.
Henderson said the Town of Saint Andrews Council is hoping the extra space will entice people to check out downtown Saint Andrews this summer.
