Index
The Changing Face of Prince George's Downtown
The downtown is entering an unparalleled phase of extensive civic and private sector development not seen in decades. While construction in downtown Prince George has been an ongoing process in recent years, the projects and initiatives coming to the city core will mean development on a much greater scale that promises to advance the City's long-term vision for the downtown area.
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.
Some upcoming developments in the downtown area include:
- A new four-phase housing development with underground parking across from City Hall.
- 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.
- The completion of UNBC's new Wood Innovation Research Lab.
- 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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Downtown Developments
City Pilot Project to Improve Downtown Safety and Cleanliness
Two new Bylaw Compliance Assistants have been assigned to the city's downtown area to help with public safety, cleanliness, and security concerns. The Assistants are responsible for monitoring and responding to a variety of issues in Prince George's downtown core such as graffiti, homeless camps, and working to connect people requiring assistance to outreach services.
View the media release about the Bylaw Compliance Assistants
Downtown Announcements
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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.
Major utility operations are also commencing to move and replace water, sanitary sewer, and storm water infrastructure. These projects will involve replacing some old water pipes.
The parkade construction and relocation of utility infrastructure will require the removal of some trees at City Hall along George Street. The spruce trees will be re-planted at Duchess Park while the ash trees will be used by local community organisations such as the Prince George Woodturners Guild. The City's Public Art Committee will also accept applications from artists to use the trees in the creation of products that may be used for fundraising by local charities.
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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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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.
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Late Summer 2018 - 6th Avenue between Quebec Street and Dominion Street will be permanently closed to allow for the construction of a proposed new hotel.
For additional 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.
For more information about the latest parking rates and other downtown parking information:
Visit the Downtown Parking page
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Demolitions
The following City-owned buildings are slated to be demolished in Summer 2018:
- 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.
- The Kings Inn Bible Store in preparation for the proposed new hotel.
- The current 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.
- The biomass-based District Energy System (DES) that heats many key buildings in downtown Prince George. The DES reduces 1,900 plus tonnes of greenhouse gases per year by taking waste heat from Lakeland sawmill and transferring it through insulated piping to the downtown area.
Download the 2009 Smart Growth on the Ground Downtown Prince George Concept Plan [PDF]
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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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