City of Powell River continues the process of building a downtown plan with an open community workshop on Tuesday, March 7, and the launch of a survey exclusively for youth.
A media release from the city stated that the planning and design workshop is part of phase two of the overall project, as a vision for the future of downtown begins to take shape along Marine and Willingdon Avenues.
The release stated the focus of the workshop will be on two properties that anchor the downtown waterfront and have been central to the conversation around the city’s urban planning for many years – the location of what is known as the old arena site at Willingdon Beach, and the soon-to-be decommissioned Westview wastewater treatment plant site at the north harbour.
“The future of the downtown depends on what the community envisions,” stated city manager of planning services Daniella Fergusson. “It’s people that make a downtown, not plans. From the beginning, we’ve enthusiastically involved the public in how we reframe the experience of downtown. We need community members to share their ideas, because a successful downtown has to work for everyone, whether that’s residents, business owners, patrons, visitors, youth or seniors.
“The format of the workshop will allow everyone attending the opportunity to sit down in small groups with urban designers and give their opinions and vision for a thriving and diverse downtown.”
The March 7 workshop is a free event and will be held at Powell River Town Centre Hotel from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
The release stated that in phase one of the downtown plan, the public put forward ideas on pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle use, green spaces, activities, food, shopping, arts and culture, and character. Phase two will continue through the spring, with a draft of the plan in the fall or winter, according to the release.
“Marine Avenue often forms the first impression visitors have of Powell River,” stated mayor Ron Woznow. “It should show them a vibrant, beautiful downtown with easily accessible shops, restaurants and views of our beautiful sunsets. It should reflect the pride we all share in our community. That kind of impression is important to our tourism sector and can tip the scales in attracting new businesses to our city.”
In addition to the planning and design workshop, the city has opened a survey exclusively for under 25-year-olds.
“That’s where a lot of the energy is,” stated Fergusson. “Their ideas are from entirely different influences, like sports, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, music, gaming, school, fitness, fashion and adventure travel. Their downtown is not their parents’ downtown. We need their vision so, that downtown is still relevant and successful 20 years from now.”
The survey is available at participatepr.ca.
