A council member told the City Council that pavers proposed across from the convention center should be reviewed because an existing drain intake at the end of the planned sidewalk could create a hazardous drop-off and force pedestrians to detour into the street.

The council member said the area “just looks like a big area, not necessarily a dedicated sidewalk” and that, as currently configured, people with mobility impairments “would hit that going one way or another” because “it is quite a drop off.” The council member asked staff to examine whether the sidewalk should be rerouted or the intake moved as part of the planned paving work.

Gordon Fair, city engineer, responded that he would “bring that up to them” and that the plans he has seen prompted the same concern: either the sidewalk will have to be rerouted or the intake relocated. Fair and another staff member said the item could also be discussed at the public works meeting and with the Active Transportation Committee as the design is finalized.

Why it matters: Council members said many pedestrians use that corridor near the convention center and that making a new paved area read like a sidewalk without addressing the drain could create a safety and accessibility problem. No formal council vote was taken; staff-level follow-up and committee review were proposed.

Additional details: The transcript identifies the location as the area across from the convention center and mentions a promenade and nearby businesses. The transcript does not consistently record a commercial name for the adjacent business; the exact business name was not specified in the record. Staff plans to include the concern in upcoming public works and Active Transportation Committee discussions.