In June of 2018, City Council approved the recommendations of the Environmental Assessment and the detailed design work for the Engineering, landscaping and Farmers’ Market building was initiated for the Downtown River Precinct.
The Downtown River Precinct initiative, which is identified as a priority in the Harbour and Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy focuses on the River and includes features such as:
- A continuous riverside trail through the downtown – strengthening the link to the inner harbour
- The extension of the Percy England Parkette toward the River;
- A wide pedestrian promenade along the east river bank;
- A market square focused on the river and a multi purpose civic square;
- A pedestrian focus, adding benches, trees, tables….and much more.
- An accessible and inclusive urban envrironment.
1st Avenue East includes some of the oldest water main in the City and the project will include renewing this hard infrastructure and improving the environment in terms of how we manage storm water in this area.
Phase II of the Downtown River Precinct Project is set to begin Summer 2022!
For more information and additional background, see the links below.
Additional project details contact:
Dennis Kefalas, Director of Public Works & Engineering
519 376 4440 x. 1201
SUMMER 2022 Phase II - Downtown River Precinct | ||||||||||||||||||
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Phase I | ||||||||||||||||||
What is the first phase of construction?The first phase is the 800 block of 1st Avenue East and consists of:
There will also be civil work consisting of damp proofing the 8th Street Bridge, extending existing water mains and the repaving portion of 8th Street East. What are some key features and highlights relating to accessibility in this project?The Farmers’ Market pavilion will have several key features to improve accessibility to both the pavilion and the Farmers’ Market itself and include the following:
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Background | ||||||||||||||||||
What is the Downtown River Precinct (DRP) and why did the City undertake this study and project?Recognizing the tremendous potential of Owen Sound to revitalize its downtown and harbour the City undertook a master plan study (2000) to create a comprehensive plan that would set a positive direction to create a climate of redevelopment in the downtown. The Study was based on the premise that the City’s downtown and waterfront are some of the City’s most important resources and that no comprehensive plan existed to guide the overall redevelopment of the area toward a common vision. Along with the master plan and urban design strategy that establishes specifics for development and restoration toward the vision, an implementation plan – which set the standards for construction of the physical improvements, partnership and policy changes that re-inforce the direction of the plan was completed. This package is referred to as the “Owen Sound Harbour & Downtown Urban Design Master Plan”. The master plan provided streetscape guidelines and divided the study area into precincts with distinctive urban character that translated in general streetscape character guidelines. The Plan has clear principles for successful implementation and contains detailed recommendations with prioritized actions. The Downtown River Precinct initiative, which is identified as a priority in the Harbour and Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy focuses on the River and includes features such as:
What is the project area?The area wraps around both sides of the Sydenham River, from 1st Avenue West to 1st Avenue East, from just south of 8th Street to 10th Street.
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