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Town Centre Streetscape Enhancements – 6th & 7th Avenue
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Completed in 2009, the reconstruction of 6th & 7th Avenues within the Civic Corridor was another milestone in reinforcing the Town Centre as Canmore’s primary area for social interaction and cultural identity. The project addressed rehabilitation of aging sidewalks and pavement surfaces as well as improving storm water management, while incorporating pedestrian improvements, traffic calming, event space, street furnishings and significant landscaping to beautify the streetscapes.
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With a total project cost of approximately $1.2 Million, the streetscapes on 6th & 7th Avenue were completely reconstructed, enhancing and revitalizing our Town Centre.
Background
In 1998 Canmore pursued a Town Centre Plan which sought to establish urban design guidelines to maintain and enhance Town Centre as the commercial, civic and cultural heart of the community, in a manor which balanced the needs of residents and visitor and to ensure the strengthening of the Town Centre’s main assets.
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This document has served as a guide for the development of the Town Centre for more than a decade. The plan highlighted preserving assets including the mountain setting, the street grid, the 9th Street Civic Corridor, and the Main Street urban structure. Transportation related objectives from the plan included, reduced road widths and turning radii, sidewalk improvements and widening including corner bulges, street plantings, traffic calming measures and bicycle racks.
The Town built on the 1998 plan in 2004 with a Streetscape Design and Construction Planning Study for the downtown area. The study echoed principals of the 1998 plan with recommendations for widening of sidewalks, corner bulges, plantings, and street furniture including bicycle racks.
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In 2006 plans were set in motion to begin enhancements with a portion of Main Street. When costs came in higher than anticipated, plans were revisited with further consultation from the community and the BRZ (Business Revitalization Zone) to determine priorities. Those consultations lead to the following priorities being addressed; the installation of decorative street lights and burial of over head lines, installation of new street furniture, planting new street trees, minor sidewalk improvements and some minor grading improvements to assist with drainage.
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Construction began in 2007 and was completed in 2008. Associated with the utility burial in 2008, much of the sidewalk on the South side of 10th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue was removed. The Town took the opportunity to widen the sidewalk consistent with the 1998 & 2004 plans and realized significant cost savings. Furthermore, public art was installed in conjunction with the project, continuing efforts to establish Town Centre as the cultural heart of the community.
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When proceeding with plans to enhance 6th and 7th Avenue within the Civic Corridor the Town wanted to not only achieve the primary objectives established over the past decade but also ensure that the current business community and residents would be well serviced by the design, well informed and experience minimal disturbance as a result of construction.
Project Goals & Solutions
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The project vision was to make a major step forward in the development of the Civic Precinct through the enhancement of 6th and 7th Avenue with a focus on civic and community life. The final design and constructed works would see significant greening and beautification of the two streetscapes, traffic calming, wide pedestrian walkways with reduced street widths, and revised grading to assist with capturing and treating storm water. The reconstructed streets incorporate narrower driving surfaces with midblock pedestrian crossings, sidewalk bulges, and texture changes to slow traffic and enhance the pedestrian experience. Earlier plans were revised to retain nearly all parking on 6th and 7th Avenue in response to feedback from the business community. Wide sidewalks were constructed along business frontages to increase the walkability of the streets.
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Significant landscaping was incorporated into the streetscapes, blending with our natural surroundings, to create a more appealing space for residents and visitors. The 7th Plaza was increased in size creating areas for public gathering and events while increasing the visibility of Tourism Canmore. Site furnishings included bicycle racks, information kiosks, garbage and recycle receptacles, and benches. Raised curbs were removed from the Plaza area to better accommodate pedestrians and events. Major storm water improvements were also incorporated into the design on both avenues.
Benefit to the Community
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The new plaza area has become a vibrant, energetic, community gathering point, hosting a broad range of special events including, Winter Carnival, Girl Guides 100th Anniversary, Olympic Rally and Olympian Celebration, World Cup Celebration, Trans Rockies IX, and the list goes on. The plaza is also home to regularly scheduled events such as Canmore’s Mountain Market and Street Fair. The Mountain Market brings Canmore’s small town, neighbourhood character to the downtown area. The Market provides business opportunities for small entrepreneurs as well as drawing attention to businesses in the downtown core. The Civic Centre Plaza provides a stunning location for discovering Canmore; from breathtaking views to shopping to chance re-connections between old friends and opportunities to make new ones.
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If you have any questions or would like further information regarding this project, please contact Jacob Johnson, C.E.T., at (403) 678-1549 or
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