PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Nov. 23, 2022… The start of construction at Veterans Park last week is the most recent work of the broader vision for downtown Port Coquitlam that has started to take shape.

The multi-year revitalization of the City’s iconic downtown continues, with proactive planning to address parking and other potential issues, and capital improvements intended to create a safe, welcoming and walkable hub where businesses thrive and people want to shop, live, work, socialize and celebrate.

The vision is being rolled out through the recent redesign of McAllister Avenue, major upgrades to the Civic Centre – including Veterans Park, Leigh Square and an extension of Donald Pathway – and strategic redevelopment that retains the area’s unique charm and character.

“We’re moving full steam ahead with our efforts to add energy, vibrancy and new amenities to Port Coquitlam’s unique and iconic downtown,” Mayor Brad West said. “The recent McAllister Street upgrades and upcoming improvements to Veterans Park and the rest of the Civic Centre are part of a large-scale, complex undertaking that is coming together like a puzzle, piece by piece. As the project comes together, we’re also taking proactive actions to deal with any potential challenges, such as implementing our parking strategy. Keep an eye on our downtown to watch the excitement continue to unfold.”

Parking Strategy In Progress

Port Coquitlam has begun planning for changes to parking required as the downtown redevelops, to ensure parking is available for people who visit, shop and work at area businesses and City Hall.

In the coming months the City will be taking several steps to create more parking in the downtown, based on a parking study conducted by an external parking engineer.

In order to respond to new development, the City will be creating new stalls, improving conditions and lighting at existing lots, installing signs to raise awareness of parking options, and consulting with businesses and the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (PoCo BIA) to ensure timed street parking is available for their customers. More information will be provided as the improvements take place in 2023.

City Components and Activities

The downtown vision is being delivered in part through a series of updates to public spaces, informed by numerous plans, studies and public consultation. The upgrades to the McAllister Avenue streetscape completed earlier this year set the stage for other planned improvements, including:

• Veterans Park – construction will continue to approximately March 2023 on a new open-plan design including new plazas, accessible pathways, seating, a prominent new cenotaph location, lighting and retention of the clock tower;
• Leigh Square – tendering will go out in early 2023 and construction is anticipated to start late March 2023 on an open-plan design including an expanded plaza, new seating decks, enhanced lighting, trees, a water feature and a new performance pavilion at the north end;
• Donald Pathway – extended between Wilson and McAllister Avenues including lighting and landscaping, to be completed in line with neighbouring work.

Private Projects Support Vision

Strategic redevelopment is a key component of the revitalization plan, with new private development bringing the housing, services and amenities needed in a dynamic downtown core while staying true to the area’s character.

An example is The Met residential/commercial building now under construction on McAllister Avenue by Quarry Rock Developments. Anticipated for completion in 2024, the project will bring 63 residential units, 20,000-square feet of commercial space and 92 new parking stalls, for residents and businesses, and a 2,500-square-foot public plaza.

In keeping with Council’s direction to create Affordable and Family Friendly Housing, at least 25 per cent of residential units at The Met will have at least two or three bedrooms.

The family-friendly requirements would also apply to a proposed residential/commercial building on a one-acre site west of Donald Street and north of Wilson Avenue that includes several City owned parcels, including Elks Hall.

The initial concept includes a proposed 108 residential units and about 17,200 square feet of commercial space. Further details will be provided as the development applications make their way through the approval process, which will include public input opportunities.

The sale of the City properties is intended to follow the development application process. No changes to public parking on the site are anticipated until at least 2024.

“Many people are eager to see our downtown achieve its true potential,” said Cllr. Dean Washington, Council’s designate for downtown matters. “As we move forward with our plans, there will be a transition as we replace elements that no longer serve us with new, improved amenities that meet the needs of our businesses and residents. It won’t happen overnight, but each step of the way gets us closer to our vision.”

Financing

The 2022 capital plan included $5.8 million for the Civic Centre upgrades. To shield taxpayers from rising costs and supply chain issues, the City delayed elements of the project this year to ensure bids met requirements and to achieve savings through efficiencies and timing.

Tendering for Leigh Square and Donald Pathway will be in early 2023 and further updates will be provided through the 2023 capital budgeting process in early spring.

Information about the downtown revitalization can be found at portcoquitlam.ca/downtown.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca