Council asked to clear Town Square’s sea-cans
By James Tubb on October 16, 2024.
NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
Aaron Nelson, manager of arts, heritage and entertainment with the city, wants council to consider other options for Towne Square’s sea-cans which have unintentionally aided in shady activities that cost the city more than $21,000 this year to clean.Brendan Miller
City officials are recommending council and staff find a new purpose for the eight colourful sea-cans, or market pods, located in Towne Square that have been used in the festival space since 2022 and are located kitty corner to city hall on First Street SE.
Although the market pods have been utilized by vendors throughout numerous events held at the community hub this year, members of the public services committee heard the sea-cans have added to the area’s problems including break-ins, vandalism and drug paraphernalia.
As well, the location of the market pods has created a “Tin Can Alley” by restricting sight lines, which can aid illegal activities.
“It’s because it’s hidden from either end,” explained Aaron Nelson, manager of arts, heritage and entertainment. “So some of those problems that we’re seeing exist and that makes it difficult for our market vendors who show up on a Saturday morning to use that as a functional space to conduct their business.”
Nelson told the committee the downtown pods are frequently broken into and used as a shelter, and this year the city has spent more than $21,000 to hire contractors to clean the site from trash, drug paraphernalia and discarded cigarettes, as well as “biohazards” that include urine and human waste.
“They’re very easy to break into and they’re broken into frequently,” said Nelson. There’s really nothing in them … they’re mostly used for shelter.”
City staff say they believe there could be a greater community benefit for the market pods in a different space and recommended council to remove them from Towne Square for an estimated cost of $20,000.
“The concept and spirit was certainly to add vibrancy to our community and so we would reach out to our community to determine how best these could be used to benefit our community in other ways.”
Ideas for the pods’ usage, considering their suitability for various community uses, included storage for non-profit and community-based groups, greenhouse, recreation and youth activism programs.
This year the community space held 11 weekly Block Parties and its LED canopy was lit for 54 days for different causes that represented 10 organizations through Lighting for a Cause.
So far the adjacent parking lot has generated more than $29,600 of revenue and is on track to be slightly behind last year with major roadwork being cited as a contributing factor.
Coun. Cassi Hider says she supports the removal of the market pods and believes the space will continue to successfully host outdoor events downtown.
“I have full confidence this is going to be great,” said Hider.
Coun. Robert Dumanowski says he will be slightly sad to see the market pods go but understands staff rationale to find another purpose for the sea-cans.
Committee lead Coun. Ramona Robins says she supports staff recommendations on financial reasons.
”We could spend $20,000 removing them, or we could spend $20,000 over the summer cleaning up around them, and that doesn’t make any sense. We want people to come downtown and feel safe.”
During his presentation Nelson commemorated the efforts of members of the community’s Proactive
Engagement and Community Enhancement team, or PEACE team, which offers services and support for people who are using the pods as shelter.
PEACE is a collaboration between members of local Bylaw and Fire and Emergency Services, Community Housing, Miywasin Friendship Centre and AHS.
“My best day I worked this summer was going up with this team and I found that they are highly skilled individuals who know most of the folks sleeping rough in our community,” explains Nelson. “It’s a touch point for them to offer services to these folks and post them to where service could possibly be and generally check in on wellness.”
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