A public engagement progress is underway to ehance Commercial St. in the heart of Nanaimo's downtown core. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

City initiative

‘We’re at a blank canvas’ public opinions wanted to upgrade Commercial St.

Nov 23, 2021 | 4:50 PM

NANAIMO — Plans to reform Commercial St. are moving ahead with public opinions pitched to help to shape future changes to the centerpiece of the city’s downtown.

Open houses and public presentations are happening this week at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre as the City and a consultant hear what adjustments people want.

The City’s director of community development Bill Corsan said the key downtown street is showing its age in some places and requires capital investments.

“We’re at a blank canvas. After this we’ll be working on some options based on the feedback people give us.”

Aging City infrastructure needs to be replaced in the area, including old sidewalks and trees damaging the road, Corsan said.

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The entire street of Commercial St. between Wallace and Front streets is being examined, which will be aligned with other planned projects to enhance nearby Terminal Ave. and Diana Krall Plaza.

The three projects are viewed by the City as critical initiatives to revitalize downtown Nanaimo by make the area a more appealing place to be.

Corsan said establishing unity for all of the projects in close proximity will be key.

“So that when you’re on Commercial St. it’s a unified vision as opposed to a patch-meal which could happen if we had a whole bunch of projects put on simultaneously without that oversight.”

Upgrading Commercial St., dubbed by the City as ‘Design Commercial’, will involve surface finishes, public art and lighting.

Corsan said vehicular traffic flow through the Commercial St. corridor will also be looked into.

“We’ll be doing some analysis with the consultants to understand how the traffic could flow on Commercial St. so it’s safe for pedestrians but also keeps the businesses supported.”

Corsan noted around 2,000 people offered feedback on a range of topics through its Reimagine Nanaimo public engagement process.

He said many opinions and concerns centered on the downtown area and commercial St., most notably regarding public safety issues.

He expected a final plan to upgrade Commercial St. will be finalized next summer and phased enhancements to be done in subsequent years.

More information from the City on the Design Commercial initiative can be found here.

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