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The Changing Face of Prince George's Downtown
Council has put into motion a number of recommendations set out more than 10 years ago in the Smart Growth on the Ground Downtown Prince George Concept Plan as part of its commitment to revitalise the city centre. By prioritising the Concept Plan, Council is working towards a goal that has been discussed for many years in Prince George. And in doing so, Council is also advancing development objectives outlined in the Official Community Plan and the City of Prince George's 2016-2018 Corporate Plan.
Upcoming developments in the downtown area include:
- A new four-phase housing development with underground parking across from City Hall.
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[COMPLETED] A grand opening of a new Marriott hotel.
- The development of another proposed hotel across the lot currently occupied by the Days Inn Hotel.
- The design and construction of a new pool to replace the Four Seasons Leisure Pool.
- The design and construction of a new front entrance for the Bob Harkins Branch of the Prince George Public Library.
- The construction of a new park next to the Wood Innovation and Design Centre.
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[COMPLETED] The completion of UNBC's new Wood Innovation Research Lab.
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[COMPLETED] A new location for the Prince George Farmers Market at 1310 - 3rd Avenue (the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Quebec Street). The site will also be the future location of a new Arts Community Centre.
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Parkade Construction and Utility Projects
A&T Project Developments has started construction of a City-owned parkade across from the City Hall. The parkade will also serve as the foundation for a four-phase market condo development on the site.
The parkade and condo construction project has given the City opportunities to upgrade nearby infrastructure that are either at capacity, in poor condition, or at high risk for failure.
Infrastructure Projects
Current and recent projects include:
- The replacement and re-routing of the storm water piping system.
- The re-routing and upgrading of the sanitary sewer.
- The installation of a new sewer line across Queensway and along Lower Patricia boulevard to provide additional capacity critical to downtown expansion.
- The replacement of the old watermain on 7th Avenue in front of City Hall. The previous watermain had been rated by the City to be at a very high risk for failure owing to its age (about 60 years old) and its cast iron construction.
Crews also removed some infrastructure that had been de-commissioned (but remained in place underground) including old wooden pipe originally used to distribute water many years ago.
Future improvements slated for 2019 include:
- A new extension of the Downtown Renewable Energy System to the parkade.
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Road Closures and Traffic Disruptions
As new improvements are made to the downtown area, road closures and traffic disruptions caused by construction crews and machinery may occur from time to time.
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Seventh Avenue and Dominion Street - Dominion Street at Seventh Avenue is reduced from four lanes to two lanes to allow crews to connect storm and sanitary sewer infrastructure at that location. The intersection will remain open. Additional traffic disruptions may occur at this location throughout the fall as operations continue.
The nearby bus stop in front of the Four Seasons Leisure Pool will be temporarily moved further south down Dominion Street to allow for the project. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and to follow all signage and drive cautiously when around construction crews.
The Seventh Avenue and Dominion Street intersection is anticipated to re-open around December.
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Queensway and Patricia Boulevard - Starting the night of September 20, 2018, Patricia Boulevard will be closed from the intersection with Queensway to the entrance of City Hall to allow for the installation of a new sewer system along Lower Patricia to London Street. The operation will replace ageing infrastructure and provide increased capacity for the City's growing downtown.
The City expects the closure to be in effect for several weeks and is working to maintain pedestrian access along the east side of Queensway and along Patricia Boulevard.
On Saturday, September 22, the operation will require the closure of the Patricia and Queensway intersection. This is expected to be in effect for one day.
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Temporary Closure - The intersection at 6th Avenue and George Street is temporarily closed to traffic. It is anticipated to re-open around December.
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July 9 to Fall 2018 - Seventh Avenue in front of the Cenotaph at City Hall will be closed to vehicles from July 9 until Fall of this year. Foot traffic will be permitted as usual.
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April 23, 2018 - George Street between 7th Avenue and Patricia Boulevard will be permanently closed to allow for the construction of the parkade and housing development next to the City Hall.
For more information:
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Downtown Parking
The City operates a number of parkades and parking lots in the downtown area for off-street parking. On-street parking in the downtown area is limited to three hours.
Free off-street parking (marked in red) is available on weekday evenings from 5:00pm onwards, all day Saturday and Sunday, and on statutory holidays at the following locations:
- City Hall
- Plaza Parkade (lower level)
- Days Inn lot
For more information about the latest parking rates and other downtown parking information:
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Demolitions
The following City-owned buildings are slated to be demolished in Summer 2018:
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[DEMOLISHED] - The old RCMP building on the corner of 10th Avenue and Brunswick Street.
- The Days Inn Hotel to make room for the Four Seasons Leisure Pool replacement.
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[DEMOLISHED] - The Kings Inn Bible Store in preparation for the proposed new hotel.
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[DEMOLISHED] - The old Farmers Market building behind The Keg restaurant.
NOTE: Work associated with demolitions is expected to cause some short-term detours on adjacent roads.
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Downtown Prince George Concept Plan
Prince George's downtown area has seen many changes in recent years owing to the City's Downtown Prince George Concept Plan to renew the city core. The Plan provides a detailed vision of a sustainable and vibrant downtown that serves as a civic and cultural centre with thriving businesses and lively neighbourhoods where people come to visit, live, and invest.
Some of the improvements made include:
- New features like bike stands and bike lanes, banners and flower baskets, wayfinding kiosk signs, and Heritage Signs and accompanying Library Heritage walking tours.
- Angled parking on 5th Avenue and two-waying of 4th Avenue.
- Construction of new buildings like the Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC) and the LEED RCMP Building.
- Improved landscape standards and street trees replacement.
- Events programming such as Summerfest and Coldsnap.
- Downtown Development Design Guidelines and Downtown Revitalisation Incentives Program.
- Enforcement and demolition of derelict sites.
For more information:
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District Energy System
The biomass-based District Energy System (DES) heats many key buildings in downtown Prince George. The DES reduces 1,900+ tonnes of greenhouse gases per year by taking waste heat from Lakeland sawmill and transferring it through insulated piping to the downtown area.
The DES provides many economic as well as environmental benefits including:
- Reducing total net particulate matter by over 100 tonnes per year.
- Generating new, non-tax revenue.
- Reducing carbon tax payments.
- Supporting forestry - the mainstay of the local economy.
For more information about the District Energy System:
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Downtown Development Incentives
The City offers a number of tax and grant incentives to encourage new multi-family, mixed-use, commercial, and green construction projects in the downtown area as well as upgrades to existing developments. Some of these programs include:
- The Revitalization Tax Exemption Program
- The Northern Development Initiative Trust Community Revitalization Program
For more information:
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Additional Resources
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