Downtown River Precinct Plan

What is the first phase of construction?

The first phase is the 800 block of 1^st Avenue East and consists of:

• Realignment of the 800 block of 1^st Avenue East;
• Converting this portion of 1^st Avenue East to one-way southbound;
• The replacement of the Farmers’ Market Pavilion to a T-shape shifting the focus to the river with a vendor area on the west side of the new pavilion;
• Strengthening the pedestrian connection from the Percy England Parkette to the River area and Market;
• Creating a mid-block gathering space for people as well as a comfortable pedestrian space closer to 9^th Street proximate to the River;
• Creating a wide, accessible river pedestrian walkway that brings pedestrians and users closer to the Sydenham River; and
• Place to park your bicycle and visit the downtown and river area.

There will also be civil work consisting of damp proofing the 8^th Street Bridge, extending existing water mains and the repaving portion of 8^th 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:

• Two barrier free parking stalls will be reserved on the east side of the pavilion and be equipped with a barrier free ramp to access the new sidewalk that will be installed on the east side of the pavilion;
• There will be three sets of doors installed on the new pavilion that will be equipped with push button door openers, making access to the building barrier free;
• The new concrete pad for the pavilion is designed to provide barrier free access to the Farmers’ Market;
• Tactile Walking Surface Indicator plates will be used; and
• The north arm of the pavilion that runs east-west will have barrier free access on the west side and on the north side (middle)

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:

• 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;
• Landings for short term boat, canoe & kayak docking;
• A pedestrian focus, adding benches, trees, tables….and much more.

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.