The Bank Street BIA said it will stay out of a plan to transform a section of Ottawa's Bank Street into a gay village after plans hit a major stumbling block this week.
The BIA released contradictory results to two surveys it took to gauge how business owners feel about the initiative.
The six blocks of Bank Street between Nepean Street and James Street has more than 40 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered-friendly businesses today. Many others show stickers of support in their windows.
Suggestions to revamp the village include rainbow banners and street signs. Gay village promoters say the distinction would be good for local business and tourism.
But two surveys on the matter by the Bank Street BIA resulted in inconclusive results; the first showed 75 per cent were not in favour, the second that 73 per cent were in favour.
"The board, as an information item and not an action item, surveyed our membership. The two surveys had absolutely polarized results," said Gerry Lepage of the Bank Street BIA.
In a release, the BIA said "no action is required," by the organization to push the initiative along.
Business owners, meanwhile, had very different reactions to the decision to put the initiative on hold.
"I think it's up to the gay people to make it happen, to start flying their flags and tell the city what we're all about," said Robert Giacobbi of Wilde's, a GLBT-friendly shop on Bank Street.
Others like Scott Payette of Connor's Gaelic Pub said customers didn't care about the rebranding either way.
Members of the gay community say the debate has all but disappeared.
"Socially, it's important for our community to feel that we have a safe space, to feel that we're valued and respected within our larger community in the city," said Glenn Crawford of the Village Initiative.
"I think it comes down to the community questioning why the decision was made and are we going accept essentially being pushed back into the closet," he said.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Natalie Johnson
