The city could be changing the name of First Avenue. A bylaw to change First Avenue’s name to Front Street passed first and second reading unanimously on Monday night. Coun. Mike Gladish was absent from the meeting. It could pass third and final reading on Aug. 12.
But before that happens, the city wants to hear what citizens think. People are invited to come to city hall at the next meeting on Aug. 5 to express their views. The meeting starts at council’s new meeting time of 5:30 p.m.
The name change is being suggested, in part, to show the work that’s been done to revitalize the waterfront throughout the past few years. A celebration of this progress is planned for later next month. In 2006, The Waterfront Revitalization Plan suggested a name change could help increase business activity in the area.
The name also reflects Whitehorse’s past. First Avenue was referred to as Front Street until the 1940s. Both the river and railroad were accessed by this street that fronts onto the Yukon River. The road along the river in Dawson City is named Front Street, even though the rest of the streets are numbered.