CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The Charlottetown Area Development Corporation is looking at how to reshape the downtown core.
It has engaged Halifax-based consulting firm Fathom Studio to produce a report on how to make the area around Province House more esthetically pleasing.
The historic building is currently undergoing a $91-million refit and the city corporation feels now is the time to take a look at redesigning some streetscapes.
“They’re making a substantial investment there," Ron Waite, general manager of the corporation says, referring the federal government's investment in rehabilitating Province House.
Waite says the fact the Confederation Centre Public Library is also in the process of moving across the street to the Dominion Building is an added an impetus to take a look at what it would take to reshape the area from Church Street to Queen Street and from the Grafton Street side of Confederation Centre down down to Sydney Street.
“We thought it was a good opportunity to go and look at the total areas surrounding Province House and the Confederation Centre and we’ve engaged a consultant to work with the stakeholders in the area and come up with a long-term plan with how we want to redesign that area."
The changes will involve a higher level of security around Province House, which could include the use of concrete bollards.
Confederation Centre has also indicated a desire to be more engaged with the streetscape along Queen Street and Victoria Row.
The future of the parking lot at the corner of Victoria Row and Great George Street will be up for discussion. Fathom Studio will also consider ways to turn Sydney Street into a more pedestrian-friendly area without impacting access for emergency vehicles.
Kevin Murphy, who owns the Inns at Great George as well as two restaurants on Sydney Street, pushed city council earlier this year to block at least part of the street to pedestrians for the summer months but the decision was rejected, for 2020 at least.
“These discussions have been going on for years but ... we’re very excited," Murphy said. “It’s got a lot of different elements to it that would enhance the district. I think when you’re spending (big dollars) on Province House it would be a shame that we didn’t look at the surrounding neighbourhood."
“I think when you’re spending (big dollars) on Province House it would be a shame that we didn’t look at the surrounding neighbourhood.’’
- Kevin Murphy
CADC is paying Fathom Studio $90,000 to produce a report that is expected back by the end of the year. Parks Canada, the provincial government and the City of Charlottetown are all taking part in the discussions.
Mayor Philip Brown said Rob LeBlanc is handling the file for Fathom Studios. LeBlanc also worked on the 500 Lot plan for Charlottetown as well as the Victoria Park master plan.
“He has a lot of knowledge about Charlottetown," Brown said. “The downtown is a huge asset for the city and all the partners. We have someone who can bring it all together."
Some low-level public meetings have already been held but Waite said the public process will be an ongoing one.
At the end of the day, the consultant’s study will identify potential changes that could be made and how much it would cost.
There is no timeline on any of this. LeBlanc said he should have concept drawings ready in six to eight weeks. The library move is expected to be completed next year, and Province House is scheduled to reopen in 2022.
