The Hub, a section of Nanaimo's downtown focused on the Commercial St. and Terminal Ave. intersection, will continue to see new plans and ideas into 2022, after initial City plans were shot down by stakeholders. (City of Nanaimo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

DOWNTOWN VISION

Top Stories of 2021: Nanaimo envisions downtown hub after property purchases

Dec 21, 2021 | 4:47 PM

NANAIMO — City council and its staff want to reconfigure the downtown in a major way.

Buoyed by the purchase of 14 Commercial St. in July, the site of the former Jean Burns building and current large hole in the ground, the City of Nanaimo launched its concept for “The Hub” in the months after.

The Commercial St. property, along with the purchase of neighbouring sites will form the revamped epicentre of one of Nanaimo’s most strategic blocks.

“With the right urban design principles it creates this opportunity for a vibrant public space. It will put a bunch of people into this key downtown corner,” Bill Sims, general manager of engineering and public works, told NanaimoNewsNOW in late July.

Related aspects of “The Hub” plan is to modernize vehicular and pedestrian flows along Commercial St., in a similar fashion, as well as upgrade Diana Krall Plaza.

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Eventually the City intends to enhance a lengthy stretch of Terminal Ave between Esplanade to past the Pearson St. bridge over the next several years.

A general consensus from the City, residents and business community is addressing the deteriorating state of “The Hub” is integral to downtown revitalization.

Initial plans called for a transit-heavy focus, developing a public square at the former Jean Burns building site, linking in existing and planned bike connections along Front St. and to VIU, as well as moving the transit exchange nearby.

A view of Terminal Ave. looking south at the Commercial St. and Victoria Cres. intersection where the City intends to vastly overhaul the area into a more public-friendly place. (submitted/City of Nanaimo)

Public feedback to the initial idea however was not positive.

A survey-based consultation period in the fall garnered mixed reactions, with several people saying downtown didn’t require more public space.

“What we’re hearing clearly from the community, clearly from our urban designer is asking the question ‘How much public space do we need in the downtown core?’ and so that’s perhaps suggesting maybe a different redevelopment,” Sims added in October.

One of three concept plans the City issued earlier in 2021 for re-developing Terminal Ave. and the former Jean Burns building site. According to public feedback, a public square may not be the best path forward. (City of Nanaimo)

When results of the public consultation were presented to Council, multiple delegations also spoke out against the City’s initial direction.

Housing and additional commercial spaces were desired by many, over parks and public space.

“Businesses and cafes below as you’ve been told, condos above. Maybe condos for seniors who don’t drive,” Kevan Shaw, president of the Victoria Crescent Association told Council in October.

The final vision will be a blend of multiple projects, with plans due in the new year on upgrades to Diana Krall Plaza and the future enhancements to Commercial St.

Further direction on “The Hub” will come in 2022.

Crews are expected to begin overhauling Terminal Ave. between Commercial St. and Esplanade next summer.

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