Urban Design Study
The purpose of this study is to establish Urban Design Principles and Guidelines that will apply generally across the City, including detailed streetscape designs for each of the key image routes, including:
- Red River Road;
- Arthur Street; and,
- May Street, Memorial Avenue and Algoma Street.
The Urban Design Guidelines will improve the quality of the City’s built environment consistent with the Clean Green and Beautiful Initiative and the City’s Official Plan. They will assist developers, architects, landscape architects, urban designers and professional planners in making informed decisions when developing site plan applications.
The Urban Design Guidelines will balance the desire for City-wide design quality with the unique elements that are significant to each Image Route, and within each neighbourhood and business area. The detailed streetscape designs will guide future Municipal work within the road right-of-ways on each of the Image Routes.
| Visioning Thunder Bay | |
| Detailed Streetscape Guidelines Oct. 20 | |
| Detailed Streetscape Guidelines Nov. 16 | |
| Urban Design Open House Flyer |
Project Approach
Establishing a Vision for Thunder Bay
Brook McIlroy will examine the existing land use conditions and develop Thunder Bay-specific recommendations for the public and private realm (i.e. built form, massing, relationship to the street, materials, glazing, parking, landscape treatments, etc.).
Defining the Community Components
The character of each Thunder Bay neighbourhood is unique, and the guidelines will enhance this individuality while identifying and preserving the elements that tie the community together (i.e. street design, heritage structures, culture, etc.).
Establishing a Diamond Standard for Urban Design
We will work closely with City Staff and the Clean Green and Beautiful Committee to ensure that buildings, streets and public open spaces challenge the status quo, and ensure safe, sustainable design.
All Season Design
We will work closely with City Staff to determine seasonal maintenance requirements, and balance this with the need for streetscape design that encourages an active public realm in all seasons.
Detailed Streetscape Guidelines for Image Routes
The Urban Design Guidelines will provide detailed streetscape recommendations for the City’s Image Routes, including:
- Algoma, Memorial and May Streets (The New Main Street) - The functional requirements of this street should be balanced with the historic nature of this street as a memorial, as well as the goal of creating a pedestrian-supportive street, through mixed-use buildings that frame the street, wide-sidewalks, carefully designed parking, etc.
- Red River Road and North Core (The Dawson Trail) - The design of this street should tie the north core together, provide a clear link to Prince Arthur’s Landing, highlight the heritage character of the area, and encourage active transportation in the Downtown.
- Arthur Street and South Core (The Link to the new Civic Centre) - As the key entrance to the City from the airport, Arthur Street should ensure consistent design that signalizes arrival into the City, and provides direct entry to the new Civic Centre. The Civic character of the area should be strengthened, while encouraging year-round activity on the street.
Project Schedule
The study is an 8 month process, consisting of the following stages:
- Task # 1: City-wide Urban Design and Landscaping Guidelines (Aug. - Nov., 2011)
Through site visits, extensive background research, stakeholder interviews and workshops, we will prepare an overall vision for the City of Thunder Bay, supporting design principles and detailed urban design guidelines to help implement the vision. - Task # 2: Streetscape Guidelines for the City’s Image Routes (Nov. - Jan., 2012)
Through site visits, extensive background research, stakeholder interviews and workshops, we will gain an intimate understanding of each of the Image Routes. Building on the Urban Design and Landscaping Guidelines, we will prepare up to three options that explore the key themes, and reflect the unique characteristics, of each Image Route. - Task # 3: Phased Implementation Plan (Jan. - Mar., 2012)
Carefully selected pilot projects are essential to demonstrate the key recommendations of the study. Appropriate projects will be identified and prioritized, and implemented as part of a detailed Implementation Plan.
Public Consultation
An effective consultation process enhances the public’s understanding and creates an environment of excitement surrounding the study.
- Stakeholder Consultation - Visioning Workshop (Oct. 20, 2011)
An intensive working session will be conducted with key stakeholders, including CGBC, to begin to determine a vision for the Thunder Bay at the City-wide scale. The Consultant Team will present key opportunities and constraints, and participants will be split into groups to discuss their vision, which will be presented back to the group at-large. - One-on-One Stakeholder Interviews
Intimate discussions will take place with key stakeholders to determine key issues and opportunities in the City and along each of the Image Routes. - Meeting with the CGBC (Nov. 16, 2011)
This meeting will be held to review the results of the Visioning Workshop. In addition, there will be regular communication with CGBC throughout the process to ensure the project is consistent with the objectives of the Clean Green and Beautiful Policy. - Public Consultation - Options Workshop (Nov. 29, 2011)
The options workshop will be used to receive feedback on the Streetscape Guidelines for the City’s Image Routes. Participants will complete a series of exercises, and will prepare preliminary concepts to inform the final options for the Image Routes. - Meeting with the CGBC
This meeting will be held to review the results of the Options Workshop. - Open House/Council Presentation - Tuesday, Nov. 29 - 4:30 pm to 9 pm - Community Auditorium
All final recommendations will be presented to City Council. Prior to this presentation, an Open House will be held to allow the public an opportunity to comment on the final report.
