It would see the loss of 65 car parks on Hinemoa and Haupapa Sts with construction work set to start early February, taking six weeks to complete.
The project would see cyclists, roller skaters, mobility scooter users and pedestrians share spaces on the route.
Retailers spoke anonymously to the paper with the vast majority saying they had no idea about the project until a council staff member dropped off the plans, or they read about it in local media after the announcement.
Of the 50 business owners or managers spoken to, 35 said they were unaware of the project until then, 16 said they liked it, 14 said they didn't want it to go ahead and 20 said they were unsure.
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said he personally liked the idea.
"It's a great way to entice people into the CBD and it will revitalise the town centre.
"Chamber members I have spoken to have mixed views - most like the idea, it's just the route suggested where some of the concern lies."
He said losing 65 car parks was an obvious concern to some CBD retailers.
"I think Napier do it exceptionally well, they have cycle trails that can be used by a wide range of users that scoot around the outskirts of the CBD, not cutting through the centre of it," he said.
The council's Inner City Revitalisation portfolio leader, Karen Hunt, said she wasn't really surprised at the number who said they weren't aware of the proposal, but believed it had been well publicised.
She said the council had been asking for feedback, and the project had been in the Inner City newsletter, which was distributed to businesses around the CBD.
Ms Hunt said they were keen to do a better job of communicating with the community and were interested to hear how they might have done so better.
Ms Hunt said she still believed the proposal was a good one and an important one for Rotorua's future.
"We are building this cycleway for all ages and all abilities - for 8-year-olds to 80-year-olds."
Ms Hunt said she was pleased to hear 40 per cent were unsure whether they were in favour of the cycleway - showing many were keeping an open mind.
"They won't all be convinced by the data but I'm hoping they're willing to read it."
Additional reporting Rebecca Malcolm.
What they said:
CONS:
¦ We're not at all happy with car parks being removed. Where will our customers park?
¦ When was there any consultation? No one ever spoke to us about this until [it was announced].
¦ They'll be heaps of accidents, those intersections are already very dangerous.
¦ Bikes, scooters and mobility scooters mixed with cars and pedestrians just won't work, it's a crazy idea and doomed to fail.
¦ It's really confusing and I don't like the idea of letting skateboarders back into town, they are a menace.
PROS:
¦ It's a positive change and will create a cool vibe around town.
¦ It should bring lots more people into the city and really help our business.
¦ The footpaths are wide enough, so it should work if it's done properly.
¦ Cycling in Rotorua is really dangerous so this should help people stay a lot safer with a designated cycle route.
¦ Cycling is the future of this city and we should be encouraging cyclists to get into town as much as we can.
SURVEY RESULTS:
Did you know about the Green Corridor before the announcement?
¦ Yes: 15 - 30 per cent
¦ No: 35 - 70 per cent
Do you like the concept?
¦ Yes: 16 - 32 per cent
¦ No: 14 - 28 per cent
¦ Unsure: 20 - 40 per cent
