Nanaimo ReImagined comes to life in downtown design

Design Commercial Survey open until April 14

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed March 25, 2022 11:45 AM

Summary

Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft designs for the Commercial Street corridor, the front portion of Diana Krall Plaza and Dallas Square Park. The concepts are a product of what was heard during significant public engagement activities held November 2021 to February 2022. The concepts also reflect the community's priorities set out in REIMAGINE NANAIMO, and are a key part of Nanaimo ReImagined.

Design Commercial seeks to enhance the streetscape as the heart of Downtown Nanaimo. Commercial Street is the focal point for business, shopping, transportation, tourism and events. There are numerous public and private projects in the Downtown area that Design Commercial will connect to and support including REIMAGINE NANAIMO, ReEnvision Diana Krall Plaza, the new Courtyard by Marriot Hotel, reconstruction at Jean Burns site, One Commercial (the former A&B Sound building) and improvements to Terminal Avenue.

Once the survey is complete, the project team will review responses and incorporate changes into the final design. In June 2022 the final concept, an implementation plan, preliminary cost estimates and a master planning document will be presented to Council.

For a more detailed look at the project, key dates and to take part in the survey, visit getinvolvednanaimo.ca

Link to Strategic Plan: Design Commercial is one of the projects that will deliver the goals of REIMAGINE NANAIMO and support implementation of the City Council Strategic Plan 2019-2022 (Implement improvments to the downtown core).

Key Points

The main purpose of Design Commercial is to update and refresh the public realm in the heart of the downtown core by creating a street that delivers a cultural, commercial and community experience to residents and visitors alike.
To create the proposed concept presented in the survey, the Design Commercial team relied heavily on feedback from the engagement process which included meetings, walking tours, interviews and design studio open houses.
All feedback is welcome and appreciated as we create the final concepts for Nanaimo’s historic downtown.The survey is open until April 14, 2022.

Quotes

"I'd like to thank the community for sharing so many wonderful ideas during the engagement process. They were gathered and now presented in detailed designs showcasing how downtown could look. Council and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and implementing some of these fantastic ideas soon."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

In 2011, Commercial Street was recognized as one of the Great Places in Canada by the Canadian Institute of Planners through its Great Places in Canada program, due to Nanaimo's mix of historical buildings and lively commercial activity.
Downtown Nanaimo is the heart of the city and showcases Nanaimo’s distinct culture and economy. It is the mobility hub and has the highest density and mix of land uses.
The survey is separated into five (5) sections and should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Images

Victoria Crescent to Terminal Avenue Proposed Plan

Links

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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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