Mitton Village will only thrive if we stop prioritizing cars over people

City staff have recommended Option 1 for the Mitton Street redesign, offering a once-in-a-generation chance to build a neighbourhood that actually works for the people who live and shop there.

On December 15, Sarnia City Council has the opportunity to make a decision that matters. The recommendation from the General Manager of Engineering and Operations is to proceed with "Option 1" for the reconstruction of Mitton Street. This design isn't just a repaving project; it is an intentional shift toward wider sidewalks, traffic-calming bump-outs, and flexible spaces that allow our local businesses to spill out onto the street.

For too long, we have treated our neighbourhoods like thoroughfares designed to move cars as fast as possible, rather than destinations designed for people to linger. Option 1 corrects this by narrowing travel lanes to naturally slow down traffic and prioritizing the safety of pedestrians over the convenience of drivers.

The businesses have spoken

There is a narrative floating around that businesses are afraid of this change. That is simply not true. A letter signed by 22 people representing 15 businesses and properties in Mitton Village explicitly endorsed Option 1. These entrepreneurs know that their livelihood depends on foot traffic, not drive-by traffic. They understand that creating a vibrant, safe streetscape is the only way to build long-term economic resilience in the village.

We also have the data to back this up. City reports show that curb bump-outs at intersections like Indian and Errol have successfully reduced vehicle speeds and collisions. This isn't theoretical; it is proven safety infrastructure that protects our neighbours.

Building Palaces for the People

In his book Palaces for the People, Eric Klinenberg argues that the resilience of a community depends on its "social infrastructure"—the physical places that allow people to gather, interact, and build trust. When we design streets solely for cars, we destroy that infrastructure. When we design them for people, we build it.

Mitton Village has the potential to be exactly this kind of place. The proposed "flex spaces" and expanded parkette are not just nice-to-haves; they are the front porches of our community. They are the places where isolation is broken, where neighbours run into each other, and where the social fabric of the city is woven. By approving a design that encourages lingering rather than leaving, Council isn't just paving a road; they are investing in the social capital of Sarnia.

The parking myth

The opposition to this project inevitably comes back to parking. We hear the same loud voices claiming that losing a single on-street spot will destroy commerce. But let’s look at the reality. The staff report confirms that Option 1 can be refined to result in a net loss of zero or only one parking spot while still delivering these massive improvements.

We need to be honest about the "perceived" lack of parking. Residents will happily drive to the Real Canadian Superstore and walk hundreds of meters from the back of the parking lot to the milk aisle without complaint. Yet, walking a shorter distance from the Kathleen Avenue lot to a shop on Mitton Street is treated as an insurmountable barrier.

It is a psychological hurdle, not a physical one. I have watched—and participated in—these exact same battles unfold in our Downtown. The fear is always the same: if we lose a parking spot, we lose a customer. But we have seen time and again that when you build a place people actually want to be, the customers follow.

Prioritizing the storage of private property on public roads directly in front of businesses—at the expense of safety and atmosphere—is bad urban planning. It treats our most valuable public asset, our streets, as nothing more than a utility for vehicle storage rather than a place for commerce and community. Option 1 provides safer, shortened crossings and designated accessible spots. That does far more good for our most vulnerable neighbours than preserving a surplus of asphalt ever could.

No more compromises

We cannot afford to water this down. We have seen other projects in this city suffer because Council tried to compromise with pro-car voices, resulting in a mishmash of infrastructure that serves no one well. The Mitton Village Citizens Collective and the business community are asking for a "flex street" with bricked pavers and pedestrian-scale lighting to signal that this is a place for people.

This is about building a Strong Town. It is about rejecting the "stroad" model that kills local wealth and embracing a streetscape that invites connection. Council has the evidence, the funding is available, and the community is ready. It is time to vote for Option 1 and finally give Mitton Village the future it deserves.