Plan Directions

The following Plan Directions and Designs are conceptual, and will be developed further for the November Public Open House. Location and date to be determined. Please check back.

Vision

Concentrate activity, economic growth, and social interaction into one area rather than dispersing it.  Focus on where people want to work, shop, recreate and live, and address three main elements:

1. Economics
   
1. Case studies will illustrate the feasibility of proposed development in the short and longer terms
2. Funding strategy require
3. Identify key starting points for public and private initiatives
   
2. Social:
   
1. A zero tolerance zone could be created, complete with a safety net to fully address social issues;
   
3. Ecological:
   
1. Connect the downtown to the surrounding neighbourhoods and enhance the public realm.  Connect Vedder to the downtown with a “V-line”;
2. Comprehensive bike route connecting from river to river;

Land Use Plan: The Core 

1. Recognize 5 Corners/Yale Road East as a “core area,” and concentrate retail in appropriate locations
2. Build on the character and enhance the best of the downtown
3. Recognize and enhance an “antique row,” or “specialty shop district” on Wellington Avenue
4. Create an entertainment district
• Locate the Arts Centre at 5 corners to bring people into the historical core
5. Encourage mixed use development (commercial / residential)
6. Reinforce existing high density residential development; Consider a series of densities appropriate to place:
• The current market supports 4-storey apartment development; however,
• There are areas in the downtown which could support:
• Medium rise apartments (6 – 9 storeys); and
• High-rise apartments (9 – 12 storeys) -  e.g. at the Empress Hotel site, and one at the old Safeway site.
• Market affordable housing – smaller units
7. Look at existing retailers and businesses in the downtown, ensure they are taken care of and expand into appropriate locations; then enhance and bring in new businesses.

Greenways

• 5 Corners is the traditional downtown “core”
• The Landing site is another “core area” that is emerging
• Prospera Centre and the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre are located on “The Landing” (along with Evergreen Hall, the Landing Sports Centre, etc.)
• Downtown “jewels” include Spadina boulevard, the Museum, Wellington Street, and the new Park north of 5 corners; the mid point between those two “cores” is the old Safeway site
• Connect these sites to encourage traffic flow between - create a pedestrian desire to move from one zone to another.

Paramount Entertainment District

• Establish a cultural hub at 5 corners – utilize Paramount theatre building, and land behind for development of an Arts Centre
• Encourage coffee shops, eateries, etc in this area – a food and beverage district, with specialty niche markets - widen the south sidewalk to allow for outside seating

Mill Street – looking south towards Central Park

• Widen the sidewalk to allow for outdoor dining, addition of street trees

Wellington Street (between Young Rd and Main St)

• Change from one-way to two-way traffic to improve traffic flow and accessibility from all directions to Wellington Street shops and businesses
• To facilitate this, change current angle parking to parallel parking

Main Street

• Mixed Use redevelopment of former Safeway site, cinema with high rise apartment tower behind – with parking located in between, and drop off areas in front
• Adjacent commercial re-development : small markets at street front
• Existing bus transfer station also shown