City provides update on recent downtown public realm improvements

New landmark attraction signage installed at Maffeo Sutton Park Area

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed April 29, 2021 4:13 PM

Summary

Downtown Nanaimo is the heart of the city, providing a variety of retail shops, a range of housing opportunities, professional offices and services, and the majority of cultural attractions in the city. Council has identified downtown as an area of priority attention through it’s Strategic Plan.

At a recent Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, Nanaimo City Council was provided with an update on a number of public realm improvements and environmental beautification projects that have been completed, or will be completed, in the coming weeks. The goal of the improvements is to enhance the look and feel of downtown Nanaimo, the City's spectacular walkway, and Maffeo Sutton Park. They included:

Selection of temporary outdoor public art
New wayfinding signage for Commercial Street and the Old City Quarter
Expansion of the downtown patio program
Renewed decorative lighting on Wesley Street
Refreshed crosswalk paint lines on Commercial Street and Front Street
Creation of an inaugural mural program for owners with blank walls
Maffeo Sutton Playground Upgrades - Phase 1 Complete (includes inclusive play space for the community)
Continuation of the Street Banner Design Program (The theme of this year’s call was Nanaimo 2121: One Hundred Years Forward)
Artistic interventions such as the One Song Staircase
Installations and updates of water fountains as well as public washrooms

Nanaimo citizens visiting the Sway’ A’ Lana Lagoon area can now enjoy the breathtaking views of our waterfront next to a new landmark downtown attraction sign that spells out the City's name. The letters will be 5 feet high and about 35 feet long. The colourful "O" can mean different things to different people. For example, the different colours in the “O” represents the diversity of the 100,000 plus voices who have shaped and continue to shape our spectacular City. It also represents an inclusive Nanaimo, full of opportunity for generations to come.

Link to Strategic Plan: Livability: To bring extra vibrancy and activity to downtown Nanaimo.

Key Points

Downtown is the City's historical, cultural, professional, and business centre of Nanaimo.
Along with a spectacular waterfront walkway and large civic park, the downtown serves as the community’s gathering space for events and festivals.

Quotes

"Through the City's engagement activities, we heard from the public that investing in public realm improvements and beautification is important to Nanaimo citizens. In 2019, Staff began working on many of the improvements and beautification work Council approved, however, the pandemic put a pause on some things. I am thrilled to see the progress being made on the initiatives and the smiling eyes through the masks as the public explore and experience our spectacular City. "

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Images

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Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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