Downtown transformation tops Council priority list in 2013

It’s a vision that every Council in recent history has talked about, but this Council plans to turn words into action. The District of Squamish Council has announced that the transformation of Downtown – specifically development of a strategic action plan that outlines implementation over the next 20 years and kicks off with 2013 initiatives – will be its top priority over the next two years of its term.

“Squamish’s Downtown will be transformed into a waterfront-oriented, vibrant centre for commerce, culture, and creativity that residents and visitors flock to, because of Council’s actions today,” says District of Squamish Mayor Rob Kirkham. “We are united in our resolve to bring all the existing pieces together to make this a reality, and pledge to the community that our work is something they can start investing in and banking on.”

A 20-year strategic action plan to take the Downtown Initiative from concept to reality would include:

• Meaningful connections to the waterfront along the Mamquam Blind Channel, such as waterfront parkland and walkways.
• Public amenities and spaces in the Downtown, such as a new town square.
• An effective and efficient traffic and parking plan that supports transit, pedestrians and bike lanes.
• A streetscape plan that beautifies and livens up the streets, including public art, signage and way finding.
• Trail connections between Downtown, the Squamish Estuary, Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation (SODC) lands, the Mamquam Blind Channel, Smoke Bluffs Park, and neighbourhood residential areas.
• Events focused on Downtown to animate the area and draw residents and visitors into the ‘heart’ of Squamish.

"There are multiple documents that have been created on this subject, and we want to see them all brought together and synthesized into one guiding action-oriented document," continues the Mayor. "There is a great amount of work to be done. Staff are on board and we're ready to throw all our energy, focus and resources towards this."

Council has identified quick wins to kick-start the work in 2013:

• Finalize Downtown Neighbourhood Plan
• Public Art Policy and installation of public art
• Cleveland Avenue upgrade – Victoria to Main Streets
• Downtown Entrance Upgrades
• Downtown Cycle Routes
• Downtown Revitalization Program providing tax and other development incentives
• Mamquam Blind Channel/Marine Strategy

A broad community engagement process will begin this spring to help direct and shape the work. The implementation of the Downtown Initiative is expected to be in full swing by the end of May 2013.

The Downtown Initiative has evolved out of several weeks of strategic planning sessions with senior staff. Moving forward, Council will continue to emphasize and improve upon the three critical areas identified from 2012 which include:

1. Economic Development
2. Improved Transit and Alternate Transportation Modes
3. Improved District Business Processes

In addition, two key priority projects have been defined as:

1. Downtown Initiative
2. Development of the SODC property, in particular to secure a developer in 2013, with development to follow soon after.

Further details into the Strategic Plan will be shared with the public as part of the 2013 Budget Process.

January 23, 2013