Government Street Refresh

From 2021-2022, the City consulted with business and community stakeholders, the public and First Nations representatives to help inform a vision and concept design to improve and make Government Street a people-priority street between Humboldt and Pandora.

The Government Street Refresh vision and refined concept design report, engagement summary and supporting files were presented to Council for consideration at the July 14, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Council adopted the vision and concept design at the July 28, 2022 daytime Council Meeting.

Next Steps

Next steps will include detailed design for the initial phases of implementation, ongoing refinement of interim pedestrian-priority measures and engagement with targeted stakeholders.

Government Street Refresh Report for Council

All files and appendices presented to Council at the July 14, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting are available below for review.

• Government Street Refresh Committee of the Whole Report
• Attachment 1: Vision Report
• Attachment 2: Background Report
• Attachment 3: Government Street Refresh Engagement Summary
  • Attachment 3A: Appendix A – Indigenous Engagement
  • Attachment 3B: Appendix B – Public and Stakeholder Engagement, Phase 1
  • Attachment 3C: Appendix C – Public and Stakeholder Engagement, Phase 2
  • Attachment 3D: Appendix D – Stakeholder Working Group Engagement
• Attachment 4: Best Practices and Disability and Business Impacts Study
• Attachment 5: 150 Time Immemorial Grant Program
• Attachment 6: Streetlight Analysis Memo

Thank You for Your Input
Thank you to all those who participated in the Phase 2 online survey. The project team shared the draft concept design feedback with the stakeholder working group and First Nations representatives. An engagement summary of all the input received will be included in the information package to Council for consideration.

What We Engaged On
We asked what would make Government Street one of the best streets in Canada?
We heard your ideas and what matters most.
We invited you to tell us what you think of the draft concept design for Government Street between Humboldt and Pandora.

Online Open House
The community was invited to participate in our online Open House, complete with a video, display panels, virtual focus groups discussions for local businesses and facilitated online presentations for the public to learn more and ask questions. Feedback from these discussions will be shared with Council to inform decision making.

Watch the Video:

View Display Panels:

The draft concept design renderings below illustrate the vision for what this public space could look like.

• Project Overview
• Design Goals
• Design Considerations & Context
• Draft Concept Design:
  • Humboldt to Courtney: Lekwungen Cultural Plaza
  • Courtney to Yates: Refresh
  • Yates to Pandora: Redesign
  • Pandora Intersection - Opportunity: A Plaza for Chinatown
• Types of Public Spaces
  
• Mobility
• Accessibility / Tree Succession
• Have Your Say!

Have Your Say!

Virtual Business Focus Groups
Thank you to the businesses owner/operators who were able to join us online. Local businesses were invited to register through Eventbrite to participate in one of two Virtual Business Focus Group sessions to learn more and ask questions about the Government Street Refresh draft concept design on:

• Watch the recorded presentation and discussion (Wed Mar 9, 12-1p.m.)

• Watch the recorded presentation and discussion (Wed Mar 9, 6-7 p.m.)
  

All were welcome. Registration was not required.

Online Survey and Email
The opportunity to provide input by way of our online survey and email closed on Sunday, March 20. Thank you to all those who shared feedback and ideas on the draft concept design.

Background

How did we get here?
Government Street is one of Victoria’s most iconic public spaces. At the same time, the streetscape hasn’t changed in more than 50 years. Ageing street furniture, trees, traffic signals, sidewalk and road surfaces and a watermain will all require replacement over the coming years, providing an opportunity to refresh the streetscape. Making Government Street a people-priority street is a key action of the City’s Strategic Plan.

We want to support downtown businesses for the long-term by building on the success of the Build Back Victoria program, create more accessible and welcoming public spaces, and work with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations to tell a more complete history of this land.

Who has provided input to date?
Many groups have been involved to help guide the development of the Government Street Refresh draft concept design. A stakeholder working group with representatives from a broad diversity of organizations – including Government Street businesses and the Downtown Victoria Business Association – was formed to help guide the process, advise on engagement and provide input on the design.

The draft concept design has also been informed through meetings and workshops with Songhees and Esquimalt Nations representatives, and through presentations to City Advisory Committees. In addition, more than 700 residents took part in the first phase of the project, sharing their ideas in an online forum and survey.

What decision is being made now?
The community is invited to help shape the Government Street Refresh draft concept design.

What is the level of engagement?
Consult to Collaborate.

How will input be sought?
Public and local business input through online Public House; City Advisory Committee presentations and feedback; Stakeholder Working Group meetings; outreach to Chinese community; First Nations consultation continues

When will we be seeking input?
Phase 3: April 2022 (Stakeholder Working Group and Indigenous Partners)
Phase 2: March 2 - 20, 2022 (Public, key stakeholders, Stakeholder Working Group, Indigenous Partners)
Phase 1: Spring/Summer 2021 (Public, key stakeholders, Stakeholder Working Group, Indigenous Partners)