Hamilton's COVID-19 operations centre will decide whether to temporarily close James Street North so pedestrians have more space, but councillors warn that it will probably say no.

City council voted Wednesday to pass on a letter signed by 240 residents. Those residents want the downtown street closed to vehicles as a pilot project, with more streets to follow, so pedestrians and cyclists can stay two metres from each other.

The emergency operations centre has already decided once not to close the street. Mayor Fred Eisenberger says it will likely decide that again.

He also worried that closing the street would actually mean less individual space.

"If we set up a street for more activity, more space, surely we're going to have more rollerbladers, skateboarders and cyclists congregating," Eisenberger said during a council meeting Wednesday.

He said he drove James Street North from King to Burlington Street and counted 40 people.

"There was absolutely no challenge around … people being able to separate," he said. "They were as apart as you can possibly get."

Others thought it was an idea worth pursuing. Nrinder Nann, Ward 3 (central lower city) councillor, said several residents have told her they worry about passing people on narrow sidewalks.

Maureen Wilson, Ward 1 (west end) councillor, said there are already fewer vehicles on the road, so it's worth exploring.

"There is a surplus of space for some and not for others," she said.

Some letter writers said the city already closes the street for Supercrawl, and closing it now would alleviate stress. One letter writer urged against it, saying pedestrians can use side streets.

Coun. Sam Merulla (Ward 4, east end) said the COVID-19 fight is far from over, and a second wave "isn't a risk, it's an eventuality." So Hamilton should keep doing what it's doing.

"I'm getting a little frustrated with the keyboard nonsense out there from people who aren't qualified."