There are many things the BIA loves about what we’ve seen so far including the inclusion of trees, street furniture, separated walking/furniture zones, pedestrian level lighting, parklets, planters, varied textures, safer crosswalks for pedestrians and more – we thank the project team for taking our wishlist and integrating it into the plan wherever possible.

We’ve also identified some areas we believe require further clarification/development to help ensure the vitality of the businesses impacted by construction and the eventual arrival of the Green Line along Centre Street. They are as follows:

• Deliveries, loading/unloading zones: We’d like to see a comprehensive plan for dedicated loading/unloading zones on side streets and/or alleyways to ensure each property along Centre St. has safe, adequate space for these activities.
• Alleyway Improvements: We foresee the new streetscape plan/mobility suggestions resulting in an increased need for alleyway use for vehicular traffic and parking where available. The current alleyways in Crescent Heights Village, particularly on the East side, are in poor condition, poorly lit and are sometimes used for illicit activities. Improved pavement, lighting and signage would go a long way in making the spaces behind the buildings more useable. In addition, as a part of the Taking Care of Business plan, we’d like to see some supports for businesses who require upgrades to their back entrances to facilitate deliveries and customer parking that may currently be happening on Centre St.
• Integrated Parking Zones: Given that not just parking, but also deliveries currently happening on Centre St. will move to the side streets, we’d like to see a two-block integrated parking zone or another solution to ensure short-term parking is available for every business within a reasonable distance for seniors and those with mobility challenges. Other ideas include dedicated handicap street parking, integrated angled parking on 1^st N.W. between 9^th and 11^th Avenues and finding a location for a surface lot. We very much respect the impact these changes could have on residents in the area and are committed to finding a solution that honours both the businesses and the residents that support them.
• Left-hand Turns North of 12^th Avenue: While we acknowledge that maintaining left-hand turns north 12^th Avenue may not be possible, we request that every effort is made to avoid this scenario. There are currently 18 businesses located on those blocks within the BIA whose access will be impacted. Our fear is that by the time a driver has realized they can’t turn left for their Pho, it will be too late and they’ll not make the effort to turn around. If nothing can be done, our request is that a special marketing/ communications/signage program is provided for these blocks to re-educate drivers on the new access points to these businesses.
• Incomplete Plan: While the streetscape plan is thorough in outlining the types of blocks we’ll see, it doesn’t tell us which style will be utilized where and those decisions may have impacts on BIA businesses.
• Public Art: We would like to see plans for public art and creative lighting built into the design for Centre Street.
• Crossings: We’d like to see creative crosswalks on Centre Street and a multi-use crossing and bike-activated signal should be added to the new bike route.
• Pedestrian Safety: Curb extensions should be added for people walking north and south on Centre Street to improve safety by reducing crossing distance. Curb extensions provide an opportunity to introduce greenery and beauty into the project. A buffer space between the walking zone and moving vehicle traffic should be prioritized over space allocated to medians between vehicle traffic and the train where possible.
• Speed Limit: The design speed for vehicles travelling on Centre Street should be 40 km/h or less. This will help to support businesses by slowing drivers to a speed that they can perceive and recognize the businesses they are travelling past, and maneuver safely to stop and support those businesses. It would also allow curb corner radii and lane widths to be tightened. Tight corner radii are an important feature for creating a village feel and ensuring the safety of people travelling on foot.
• Vehicle Lane Widths: Tighter vehicle lane widths (3.3 m) will also reallocate some much-needed space to the pedestrian realm, particularly in constrained areas where pedestrian space is limited (more info: https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/street-design-elements/lane-width/).
• 9^th Avenue Station Design: While we acknowledge that the station design doesn’t necessarily fall within the scope of the streetscape plan, we are excited about the opportunity to make this unique neighbourhood-scale station an example of community/BIA brand integration. We are looking for ways to keep the station interesting, approachable, human-centric and integrated with the BIA brand and the natural setting/bluff passengers will have just seen coming from the south. Also acknowledging station naming is outside of the scope of this conversation, as always, we’re noting our wish that this station be called Crescent Heights Village station.
• Property/Business Appropriation: As the Green Line may be appropriating two of our members’ properties and businesses, our request is that the business and property owners are offered fair and equitable value for their properties and businesses as well as any support the City can provide by way of relocation if desired.