FAQs
Humboldt to View: Timed car-free zones that are flexible and adaptable for different types of programming and events. The single vehicle lane width would be reduced to make more room for pedestrians and sidewalk programming. When the road is open, one-way north bound vehicle access would continue for cars, tour buses, commercial vehicles, taxis, bikes, pedi-cabs and horse-drawn carriages.
View to Yates: Maintain a single north-bound travel lane with access for cars, tour buses, commercial vehicles, taxis, bikes, pedi-cabs and horse-drawn carriages
Yates to Pandora: Two-way vehicle access would continue for cars, tour buses, commercial vehicles, taxis, bikes, pedi-cabs and horse-drawn carriages
Pandora Intersection: Realignment of the intersection and opportunity to create a new Chinatown plaza
Government Street Refresh Project
What is the Government Street Refresh project?
The City of Victoria is developing a long-term, pedestrian-focused concept design to inform streetscape and infrastructure improvements along Government Street between Humboldt Street and Pandora Avenue.
Why is the City of Victoria doing this now?
Making Government Street a people-priority street is part of the City’s Strategic Plan and is identified in our Official Community Plan.
Government Street is one of Victoria’s most iconic and visited public spaces, however, the streetscape hasn’t changed in more than 50 years. Street furniture, trees, traffic signals, sidewalk and road surfaces, and an underground watermain will need replacing over the coming years, providing an opportunity to refresh the streetscape.
We want to support downtown businesses by building on the success of the City's Build Back Victoria program, improve accessibility to make safe and comfortable gathering spaces for all to enjoy, and tell a more complete history of this land by working closely with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
What is a concept design?
A concept design gives visual shape to an idea or an approach and consists of design drawings developed from sketches. It is the first step in the design process. The Government Street Refresh draft concept design is informed by City policies, and input and feedback from the community, stakeholders and our First Nations partners.
What does the Government Street Refresh draft concept design include?
The draft concept design renderings illustrate the vision for what this public space could look like.
It proposes two cultural plazas with landmarks to serve as gateways to the street (one at Humboldt, the other at Pandora); improved pedestrian areas and timed car-free zones; redeveloping the two northern blocks (Pandora to Yates) to be more pedestrian-friendly and continue the character of Government Street with wider sidewalks and two-way vehicle access; and opportunities for public art and cultural interpretation, new accessible seating and landscaping, more space for restaurant patios and storefronts, with commercial loading zones throughout.
Does the draft concept design allow for all types of vehicle access?
The draft concept design prioritizes pedestrian access and movement along Government Street. It is also “multimodal”, supporting a range of transportation modes including passenger vehicles, service vehicles, delivery trucks, bikes and emergency vehicle access. Parades and special events would continue to be accommodated throughout this corridor.
The draft concept design proposes the following:
Would there still be loading zones?
Yes. Loading zones would be available during timed street openings from Humboldt to Yates. Loading zones between Yates and Pandora would be accessible 24/7 unless otherwise posted.
Would there be accessible parking?
Yes. Accessible parking stalls would be established on Government Street between View and Pandora as well as on adjacent east/west streets. New stalls would incorporate updated accessible designs and dimensions.
Would there be taxi services?
Yes. Taxi services would be available on Government Street during timed street openings. During timed street closures, taxi zones would be situated on adjacent side streets.
Could I still ride my bike on Government Street?
During car-free times on Government Street from Humbolt to View, cyclists could travel in both directions but would need to travel at slower speeds and yield to pedestrians.
Does the draft concept design impact the location of the cruise ship bus stop?
Cruise ship shuttles would continue to drop off and pick up passengers on Government just north of View Street.
What about the street trees?
As the Hornbeam trees are nearing the end of their life span, we are developing a succession plan to introduce the next generation of trees to the street. Trees in poor health would be replaced over time with new trees, timed with infrastructure upgrades.
How would the draft concept design make the street more accessible?
In addition to passenger zones and designated accessible parking spaces, the draft design includes public seating areas, wider sidewalks with textured/tactile surfaces and audible traffic signals. Accessibility is more than just features within the built environment. Government Street has the opportunity to be a welcoming place for people of all abilities. Universal design principles would be used to inform programming and features. Please see the display panel on Accessibility.
Isn’t the City already working on Government Street?
Yes. Work is currently underway on Government Street between Pandora Avenue and Gorge Road to replace an underground watermain, add new traffic signals, upgrade pedestrian crossings, and install a public parklet, protected bike lanes and enhanced landscaping.
When would Government Street Refresh improvements happen?
Improvements would take place in phases to minimize construction impacts over the next three to five years and would be aligned with City operations and capital infrastructure projects. Work could begin as early as January 2023.
How much will this cost and where is the money coming from?
Improvement costs would be identified and funded through the City’s annual operating budget as well as from capital funding for infrastructure renewal projects. Future private redevelopments in the area could also help fund improvements.
Who did you hear from during Phase 1 of engagement?
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 on how to make Government Street one of the best streets in Canada.
Who are you engaging with during Phase 2?
The City is continuing to engage Songhees and Esquimalt Nations representatives, the project’s stakeholder working group, local businesses, City Advisory Committees, the Chinese community and the public.
The City is also reaching out to community organizations such as the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Chinese Community Society, Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, City of Victoria Youth Council and other equity-seeking groups to ensure awareness of the opportunities to provide feedback on the draft concept design.
How can businesses provide feedback?
Two Virtual Business Focus Group sessions will be held on Tuesday, March 8 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. for local businesses to learn more and ask questions. Businesses will receive an invitation by letter and/or email to register on Eventbrite to participate. Business representatives can also register by clicking on a session link on this project page.
Businesses are invited to provide feedback on the draft concept design by completing the online survey or sending an email to engage@victoria.ca with “Government Street Refresh” in the subject line by Sunday March 20, 2022.
Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements by emailing AKapusta@victoria.ca.
How can the public provide feedback?
Phase 2 of engagement is now underway. We invite the community to participate in our online Open House. Learn more by watching the video, viewing the online display panels, and joining us for a Virtual Public Presentation to learn more and ask questions. Share your feedback and ideas by filling out our online survey or sending us an email to engage@victoria.ca with "Government Street Refresh" in the subject line by Sunday, March 20.
The two virtual public presentations led by City staff and the project’s consultant are being offered on Wednesday, March 9 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Registration is not required. Click on a session link to participate.
Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements by emailing AKapusta@victoria.ca.
What will happen next?
Following this next round of input, the project team will refine the draft concept design in collaboration with the stakeholder working group, First Nations, representatives of the Chinese community, local businesses and others, before it is presented to City Council in late spring.
An engagement summary, along with survey data and all correspondence from both phases of engagement, will be included in an information package to Council and available here.