On April 20, over 30 people participated in a workshop to establish
design objectives for guidelines for the Downtown Core area. Building
on the Downtown Urban Design Workshop on April 6 recommendations, the design
guideline workshop participants identified the site and architectural features
for nine character districts.
Workshop Summary
Working as members of three planning teams, participants identified
the site and architectural features the guidelines should reinforce for
nine character areas. The summary below is based on their presentations.
# 1 Traditional Core
The Traditional Core area should be a welcoming mixed-use district with
first floor storefronts. New development should respect the historic building
scale and design, but should not have to mimic them.
#2 Core Expansion-North
This area needs more continuity for pedestrians. This includes adding
street trees and friendly building edges along sidewalks.
#3 Core Expansion-West
The Core Expansion area to the west also needs improved continuity for
pedestrian environments using transparent storefronts. Densification should
reflect the scale of traditional buildings.
#4 Core Transition-West
Development in this area should respect the scale of traditional buildings.
Infill development should improve streetscape, continuity and storefront
transparency.
#5 Core Transition-North
This area should maintain the residential scale of traditional and heritage
houses in the area. This includes front yard setbacks and design elements
that appear residential in nature.
#6 G Street
G Street's character should transition from the commercial core to the
small shopping center to the north. In the Core, the historic city hall/police
station should be an architectural reference building for new investment
in the Core Expansion-North area. The residential blocks north of Fifth
Street should be maintained.
#7 Third Street
Third Street should be a mixed-use street with outdoor eating and storefront
buildings. Bungalow buildings should be retained.
#8 Central Park
The edge of the park should be activated with cafés, retail,
gardens and courtyard buildings.
#9 Gateway District
The Gateway District should be enhanced with lighting and signage.
Transit improvements could include parking structures and a shuttle.
Bonus Question: Favorite Buildings
The planning teams made a list of their favorite buildings in the Downtown.
These included the Brinley Block, Anderson Bank, Police Station, Old Discoveries,
Depot and the Terminal Hotel.
Planning Teams
TEAM #1
