'A place for connection': Grand Opening of Gaukel Block in Kitchener
CTV
The City of Kitchener held the grand opening of Gaukel Block in Downtown Kitchener Saturday, officially marking the portion of Gaukel Street beside Charles Street West as a pedestrian-only street.
The City of Kitchener held the grand opening of Gaukel Block in Downtown Kitchener Saturday, officially marking the portion of Gaukel Street beside Charles Street West as a pedestrian-only street.
“It just shows that you know what streets can be used differently than only for cars. And what we're trying to do is make this particular street great for pedestrians, cyclists,” Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener said.
With the help of federal funding, the city created Gaukel Block, using ideas driven by the community/
“Really recognizing a lot of the needs in the downtown coming out of the pandemic, particularly a place for vendors, a place for connection, a place for community,” Darren Becks, the Manager of Downtown Development and Innovation for the City of Kitchener said.
“Knowing that it's very pedestrian friendly, dog-friendly cyclist friendly, you know, there's so much to offer that having even this shipping container is such a great addition,” Jennifer Robles, a vendor on Saturday said.
The idea came from Sam Nabi, the co-owner of Full Circle Foods, a downtown grocery store, who posted on social media in 2019 wondering if the street could be a permanent pedestrian spot.
The city noticed the message and began working with him to make it into a pedestrian-only street.
