Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan

by Project for Public Spaces

July 2013 Prepared for The City of Guelph Guelph, Ontario, CANADA

Prepared By Project for Public Spaces, PPS 1 Introduction 5 Analysis of Downtown Public Realm 11 Introduction to St George’s Square 13 A Vision for St. George’s Square 15 Short Term Recommendations for St. George’s Square 22 Long Term Recommendations for St. George’s Square 29 Management of Downtown Public Space

33 Appendix 35 Workshop summary Site Aerial: Downtown Guelph Introduction

As part of an ongoing effort re-animation and re-imagination have worked with over 3000 communities to strengthen the downtown’s of St. George’s Square is part within the United States and abroad to help grow their public spaces into vital community public spaces as the City’s of a larger effort by the City of places, with programs, uses and people- civic heart, Project for Public Guelph to reinforce Downtown friendly settings that build local value and Spaces met with dozens of Guelph as a major destination serve community needs. diverse stakeholders ranging that will spawn economic, social, Our Placemaking approach is a way to from bankers to artists, small and creative activity around the ensure that the planning process is efficient business owners to leaders from city. and cost effective because it achieves the the faith-based communities goals that matter most to communities in the long term: very broad approval; the during the course of three days This report is a summary of the feedback Project for Public Spaces received as well creation of dynamic social gathering places; from March 5th to 7th, 2013 to as recommendations for improvements and a plan for management and programming; elicit ideas to develop a vision, public space management strategies drawn and a feasible project with high return on investment. PPS has applied our Placemaking program and activation plan for from its 38 years of experience. Input from City staff throughout the process also has approach with a broad range of partners and key areas of the downtown. The helped to frame and inform the findings stakeholders including government agencies provided here. and officials, downtown development groups, neighborhood associations, About Project for Public Spaces cultural, education and arts organizations, environmental groups among others. Project for Public Spaces is a non-profit planning and design organization that PPS brings many resources to the table, is dedicated to advancing the comfort, including knowledge of how people in attractiveness, social, cultural and economic communities throughout the world have vitality of public spaces through research, overcome similar issues and a rich array education, planning, design and technical of benchmarks with relevant examples assistance. Since our founding in 1975, we of improvements made elsewhere. This

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 1 information and knowledge will help facilitate What Makes A Great Place? discussion of issues, show participants the The principles of what makes a great place potential for positive change, and germinate were used to guide the discussions, public ideas and solutions. workshops and stakeholder meetings facilitated by PPS. We facilitate the creation of great places through community workshops, presentations and interviews designed to help leaders to identify stakeholders and partners; broaden community involvement and leverage local assets; identify uses and activities specific to the site and neighborhood; build a Uses management plan; and ensure that traffic Sociability and other access issues are dealt with to & Activities the benefit of all users. In these workshops stewardship, community pride, and a variety of uses, funding sources and volunteers are Place stressed as outcomes.

Unlike the usual consultant-led approach Access Comfort that leaves little capacity in place, we seek & Linkages & Image to catalyze and enable local institutions – or a consortium of institutional partners - to carry out many of the recommended improvements. We also like to focus our work on communities who are willing to The principles of placemaking try Placemaking on many levels, in projects around their city

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 2 Sociability Access and Linkages

A sociable place is one where people want A good place is visible and easy to get to. to go to watch the scene, meet friends, and People need to see that there is something interact with a wide range of people that to do and that others have been enticed are different from themselves. Sociability to enter. Physical barriers can also be a is achieved by working together with the tremendous obstacle: a street that is too wide unique, local assets that can be found in all or dangerous will prevent older people and communities, and then combining the above children from crossing it to reach the place. ingredients to make a great place. Comfort and Image Activities and Uses Good places entice people through well- Good community places are full of home- designed amenities, such as seating, shade grown activities that act as the glue of their trees, bike racks, and bulletin boards, and communities, drawing people to them for also through good management that keeps companionship and relaxation. Examples sidewalks clean, paint from peeling, and helps might be a Saturday market, bake sales, keep a neighborhood safe. Details such as a playground, a community garden, or a these can tantalize—they signal that someone sidewalk café. A healthy variety of such uses took the time and energy to design facilities will attract a variety of people at all times of that are welcoming and respond to the day. unique needs of a neighbourhood and the people who live there.

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 3 Introduction to Placemaking alike could become immersed for hours. Another indicator is how many different Principles Taking the next step, each destination needs age groups use a place. If it is only people ten things to do – activities and smaller scale between 18 and 30, then what other activities Several key principles helped guide experiences that make it a must-visit, beloved could attract those younger and older? our approach, and ultimately our destination. Ten great places is a realistic goal recommendations for the redesign of St. for St. George’s Square and the institutions Activate Edges. The area around a public George’s square and other public spaces in adjacent, if it wishes to become a focal point space is as important to its success as the the downtown: of activity in Guelph. design and management of the space itself. A blank wall contributes nothing to the activity Start with a Program of Activities. First, Triangulate. Triangulation is the concept of the street. Arcades, while providing shelter if the goal is to create a great place, it is of clustering activities together to create or shade, conceal the activities going on essential to start with a clear understanding a busy, dynamic place for many different within a building and create a barrier between of the activities that are going to occur in types of people at different times of day. For the sidewalk and the building’s ground the space. Design and management will example, in Paris’s Luxembourg Gardens, the floor. Likewise, successful plazas are usually then support these activities. Successful combination of a puppet theatre, carousel, surrounded by activities that spill outside. public spaces are lively, secure and distinctive café, bocce court, and basketball court The reason the Campo in Siena is a vibrant places because they offer many things to do around a children’s play area makes a very place while Boston City Hall Plaza is always and reasons for people to be there. It is also exciting destination for all ages. A museum deserted has a lot to do with the activities important to plan for different audiences, so next to an outdoor restaurant and a retail surrounding the plazas. that groups can come together and engage in street will be a far busier place than any one enjoyable, sociable ways. of those uses by itself. One test of how well a place triangulates is to evaluate how long Create Destinations: The Power of Ten. a person or family would want to stay there. Every great district or downtown needs at If most people stay in a public place for an least ten great destinations to create a critical hour, then what more could be layered on mass of places where tourists and residents to lengthen that visit to three or four hours?

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 4 Analysis of Downtown Public Realm

Several important themes population of users including children, The goal should be to maximize the use emerged from the placemaking families, the elderly, and office workers of existing parking, and encourage people would soften that tone and could reduce to park once and continue their errands process that could inform the prevalence (both real and perceived) and explorations of the area on foot. This discussions about how of canvassingof volunteers, canvassingof canvassing drug volunteers, dealers volunteers, anddrugthe drug dealers homeless. dealers and and This cancould be addressed be achieved by by creating a more downtown Guelph in generalthe homeless. This can be addressed by increasing the positive use pedestrianof the space friendly by and safe environment, increasing the positive use of the space by other sorts of people. and maximizing the potential of future and and St. George’s Square in other sorts of people. existing transit service. Temporary street particular can become major closures should be expanded, such as by destinations. In conjunction with While more resources need to be available for using retractable bollards to shut down the specific management and events, downtown public spaces, especially St certain streets at routine times. (e.g. Douglas George’s Square, need to have programming Street) design ideas that resulted from and an environment conducive to casual, the workshops, focus group unplanned social interaction. Market Square Make the pedestrian experience safe and meetings, individual interviews, and the numerous facilities downtown, like comfortable. Based on the successful the Sleeman Centre and River Run Centre, precedents set by Carden Street, Safe and PPS’s own research, these already provide space for events. St. George’s Semester, and other experiments, public also serve as the basis for Square has the opportunity to be the place right of way needs to be strategically the Lighter Quicker Cheaper for ping pong in the public realm, or other reallocated in order to realize the vision of program ideas outlined in this pleasant additions to daily life in Guelph. The a lively, imaginable, and safe downtown for idea is to introduce programming to attract pedestrians. In terms of decision-making, it report. people and at the same time provide the right means focusing first on the user’s experience amenities at the locations where the people of shopping, dining, strolling downtown as a Increase the diversity of users of already are. family, etc., and subsequently balancing the and visitors to Downtown. At certain needs of traffic capacity and parking. times, the downtown environment can be Address transit, access, circulation overwhelmed by the late-night bar crowd and parking issues throughout the Great street design should make streets and other groups that tend to drive people downtown as a whole. Guelph’s function as spaces in their own right. away and discourage social interactions Downtown should be redesigned for people. Experimenting with the narrowness of Carden among strangers. A larger and more diverse

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 5 proved there was enough room for diagonal being in the curbless environment. Sidewalks parking. There are areas where supply parking with narrower lanes. Thus, lanes should be wider and pedestrian crossings should be added; therefore diagonal parking on Macdonell and other streets could be safer and shorter spaced. Pavers, especially on Wyndham should be considered. The narrowed to free up space to improve the the brick inlaid between the concrete need to manage parking demand as well is public realm. The custom of loading and sidewalk slabs, could be constructed and demonstrated by the car sharing system being unloading trucks in the middle of Macdonell maintained such that they don’t heave and launched in May and increasing turnover. could be preserved or incorporated into a create mobility issues and trip hazards. Rather, Parking strategies should also aim to reduce redesign. Another opportunity would be using a continuity of materials can avoid this customers and visitors from circling to find turning the Wilson underpass into a space iisue. a close-in spot, which contributes to traffic with murals, lighting, seating, and a linear congestion. extension of the farmer’s market up into More consideration of cyclist’s needs Market Square. and more infrastructure is needed to give Increase use of public transit. Seasonal individuals the option of biking to and around trolley rides between farmer’s market and As a charming, narrow street with significant downtown. Cycling is a four season activity Saint George’s Square have proven popular. historic character and a mix of uses, Douglas even in cold climates, as Icycle in Calgary The new transit center has improved Street has the potential to become a vibrant clearly demonstrates. functionality for riders. Increasing the use retail node activated by the presence of of public transportation to access and travel people. Sightlines of the Church, slow one • Bike share and plentiful bike parking will within downtown should be a continuing way traffic and linkages to the river make this increase cycling downtown. priority. Extra attention should be paid to street a desirable pedestrian priority street. • Wilson Street and many other orientating downtown towards those using Douglas Street could also become the major downtown streets could accommodate the station. Free transit passes in exchange connection between downtown and the on-street cycling infrastructure. for parking spaces could be expanded to riverfront, even continuing across the river other employers beyond the City. Increasing via the pedestrian bridge, through the back Manage parking. Convenience is about ridership should be viewed as a strategy to portions of lots along Douglas Street. more than parking, and devoting too much reduce parking demand and car traffic while space to parking can make other functions increasing retail foot traffic. Through on More streets should have sidewalks and of downtown less desirable. However, new board transit surveys and the ollection of roadways at the same grade like on Carden development, especially certain types of postal codes from customers, the positive Street. People enjoy the feeling they get from office uses, will require reliable downtown impact of transit users on retail uses should be examined. Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 6 should be cleaned up, especially vacant ones, sporting events or other festivals, like John As Downtown Guelph’s major transit hub, through the Community Improvement Plan. Galt Day. While downtown businesses are Central Station should provide a comfortable The current facade improvement program less cautious about food trucks associated place for commuters to wait and arriving needs to be revisited to improve its uptake with existing brick & mortar restaurants passengers to orient themselves upon arrival. and expand its impact. downtown, food trucks can serve as small Workshop participants generally felt that the business incubators and serve different station did not have a sense of arrival and was • Storefronts should advertise the markets. not very visible from a distance. Although uses within, but can also become an the stops were easy to navigate and users attraction themselves. For instance, Anchors. Downtown has many major could navigate through the space, more if the Mercury is considering digital destinations that attract visitors beyond the signage and information about any nearby screens displaying news feeds for their city. However, opportunities exist to add destinations should be added. storefront, that space could become an interactive storytelling platform. Adding additional anchors to the fabric of downtown to the public realm a level of public and get more out of the existing anchors. Improve the retail mix. The mix of retail interaction similar to the mini-museum The proposed new library could serve as a and services should be synergistic. While and community space that The Record mixed-use anchor with leasable space for retail gaps should be filled, a good retail mix is has created in Kitchener. activities that go beyond simply checking out also about siting. For instance, while they are books. Retail and commercial anchor tenants important services, social services are poor Food and Drink. The draw and attraction of will seek out downtown as rents increase. storefronts and should be encouraged to eating and drinking establishments is critical move to upper floors and secondary streets. to downtown and should be extended into The role of the farmers market in the vitality the street. More outdoor seating is needed of downtown Guelph cannot be overstated. Storefronts/Facades. Lots of beautiful both in public spaces and as well as at private Located in downtown around the corner stone and brick buildings are still standing restaurant patios and sidewalk cafes. Further, from the new City Hall, Market Square, and downtown, but storefronts and the ground the controlled consumption of alcohol the Inter-modal centre, the Farmers Market floors could be more permeable and relate outdoors should be allowed as long as it is a successful gathering place. Exploring better to the character of the building. Grates isn’t in conflict with family areas. Diverse programming ideas that link the Market to and boarded up windows contribute to a street food options are needed and should these surrounding anchors can help the perception that downtown is dangerous be explored. A food truck festival, drawing market become a multi use destination that or run-down and therefore they should be operators from the region, could be held anchors this part of the downtown. However, removed wherever practicable. Facades concurrent with other major events, such as

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 7 shoppers feel overcrowded and there are Use the design of the public realm and Extend the influence of the downtown more vendors who want a place in the market public art to engage the community and beyond its borders. By making than there is room. The facility would appear visitors. Downtown could become a key improvements to the pedestrian realm to be under-sized given the popularity of the corridor of arts and activity for the region. In throughout the Downtown, developing market and based on the limited operating order for this to happen, artists need more better signage and wayfinding, improving hours, which is partially due to the limited space in which to create, to display and to retail and building safe pedestrian and capacity of the market to operate the facility sell their work. It is even better if works of bicycle connections, as well as establishing a more than it does currently. A satellite art are interactive, especially if they provide bread-crumb trail of interesting destinations location of the farmer’s market elsewhere something for children to play with. and small places that make walking more downtown could distribute the activity of enticing and interesting throughout the area, the market, instead of concentrating it on Any and all physical changes to the public the Centre can begin to “reach out like an the edge of downtown. Satellite locations or realm need to be interactive and inter- octopus” to the rest of the City of Guelph. wholly independent markets could specialize generational. Downtown Guelph needs to Its influence in the future would not only be in certain types of goods, a flower market in have spaces for children to climb about, teens as a place to be but strengthen its role as an St George’s Square for example in addition to congregate, young couples to cuddle up, economic engine that attracts and connects to providing opportunities for vendors on and seniors to people watch. Street furniture visitors to area businesses. the waiting list to participate in the market. and sidewalk amenities are a straightforward Other opportunities to grow the farmer’s means of accomplishing this, but private Wayfinding/Signage. In order to help market can come from linking it to local buildings and most importantly public art also newcomers navigate and direct people farming such as the Guelph Centre for Urban need to be designed for human interaction. to destinations they were unaware of, Organic Farming. The operations model Public art needs to be curated and reach a wayfinding needs to be added to downtown. could be revisited so that the market has the level of sophistication, immediately giving A LQC approach should be used at first to nail ability to be open longer and on more days. downtown an identifiable sense of place. down the design, destinations, and placement In addition, the physical space of the market There should be special design touches of signs. This could be corrugated plastic could be extended out to Wilson Street for incorporated into public spaces and signs mapping out the key anchors and vendors and/or to Fresh Field Street.The 100 architecture. One opportunity could be to attached to light poles and traffic signs with year anniversary of the market building should celebrate individuals and organizations with zipties. serve as both a moment of celebration for its an analog to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. past and contemplation for its future.

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 8 Wayfinding also needs to direct drivers Seating. While the ledges around planters rentals, and markets, etc. in key locations). to where parking is available. Wayfinding and other features provide a wonderful place These activities are taking place to a certain should have a public information component to sit, physical obstacles (planters, concrete degree and in key areas, but a more holistic beyond signage. For instance, parking and walls, etc.) along with the changes in and coordinated approach is required and by street closures are a challenge for Sunday elevation act as barriers to social interaction. an adequately resourced entity. The outline churchgoers, because the churches don’t Vertical elements should be designed for of a Management program is included in this get informed which routes their parishioners people to be able to sit and shouldn’t alienate report. should take. spaces. The City is not the only entity • The current signage for many businesses Environment and Sustainability. responsible for programming in and services should be more attractive Incorporating, piloting, and showcasing, Guelph’s public realm. Champions and directed towards pedestrians. environmentally, ecologically, and within the city’s cultural groups, downtown • Develop a comprehensive wayfinding economically sustainable practices, materials, businesses, and local organizations are critical signage plan resources and processes will help ensure to spearhead new initiatives and cultivate a - Signage to portray history the viability of the area over time, and can routine of regular on-going opportunities for enhance and showcase ongoing efforts the community to contribute to city life. The - Provide murals/directional signage at land, air, and water management and City can facilitate this by generating “bridging” to different spaces – City Hall preservation. It will also make it easier and social capital between diverse groups and by - Orientation maps/ signs of less costly to manage and maintain the public incentivizing activities in the public realm. downtown realm over time, while doing the right thing • The City should encourage for the environment. perpendicular signage and continue to encourage distinct, attractive signage. Develop a well defined management Lighting. Seasonal string lights should be strategy for the Downtown as a whole. hung professionally and improved. Lighting A complete management program needs to should be more than seasonal. Facades such be developed for the downtown that includes as that of The Church of Our Lady, the visual activities such as security, maintenance, focal point of downtown need to be uplit and programming, and opportunities for pedestrian-scaled lighting (like string lights) commercial development (e.g. cafes, bike could create an ambience year round. Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 9

Introduction to St George’s Square

Throughout history, St. George’s As a result of the transit hub’s Square has always been a relocation to Carden Street , the Central Square for the City of Square has seen a reduction in Guelph. During the past half pedestrian traffic. However, the century however, the Square’s fact that the buses and transit more ceremonial and iconic service has been relocated elements gave way to more provides an unprecedented functional elements that were opportunity to re-imagine St. needed to support a growing George’s Square as the central city, namely transit service square of a 21st Century city. and a growing street network. Until very recently, St. George’s Square was the central bus transfer hub for downtown Guelph.

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 11

A Vision for St. George’s Square

St. George’s Square should sustaining uses and activities • It can become a showcase for public art (permanent as well as temporary), be a multi-use destination for that are related, interconnected as well as a place for people-watching residents, employees, hotel and interdependent. When or eating one’s lunch outdoors. A re- imagined Square will go a long way in guests, students and faculty, successful, such place have making downtown feel more vital and and people from neighbouring their own “organic” life and a lively which will in turn bring people downtown and attract new residents areas. In today’s competitive true sustainability that stems and businesses. global economy, great cities from the relationships between • Prioritizing pedestrians over vehicles in are defined more and more by activities, and the people who the Square seemed to be a high priority, though how to best achieve this remains great multi-use destinations make them happen either by under active consideration. Whether – lively, user-friendly squares, participating or running them – through eliminating the curbs, changing the roadway surface, creating a speed waterfronts, commercial users, tenants, and community table, narrowing laneways, widening streets, markets, or a network of organizations. Ongoing and sidewalks, slowing turning movements and pedestrianizing light signal timings, these. The design of multi-use innovative management is key to moving automobiles to the outside destinations should be aimed creating such places. edges of the square and reconnecting at creating a “setting” or a stage the quadrants, or some combination • There is a very strong desire to re- thereof, the best combination of traffic that supports the uses that imagine St. George’s Square as a true calming tools that will physically makes occur and that emphasize the civic hub: to transform it to a place you this place whole again should be never want to leave. The Square could identified and implemented. products and authentic qualities easily become a people and family • There is a need for programming that of the place. This approach goes friendly place that is both safe to walk to would attract people here throughout and through and comfortable to spend the day. For example, creating a chain beyond the simple concept time in; a place that is inclusive and of seasonal and temporary events of “mixed use” toward a way welcoming and regularly programmed could help St. George’s Square become with cultural activities and events that a family friendly space. Participants of design and development appeal to people of all ages. agreed that flexible programming and that builds authentic places by moveable or temporary amenities would

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 13 be a “lighter quicker cheaper” way to make this a year round destination for a diverse set of users. Workshop participants also agreed that it was important to integrate public spaces into the surrounding retail activity and vice versa.

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 14 Short Term Recommendations for St. George’s Square A combination of programming and design Downtown can become a destination for with seating experiments should be the focus of a well- family outings by adding more amenities for • Remove raised planting beds managed effort in the short term that will children and parents. Specific ideas could spark a dramatic change in how the square is include: Pop-Up Activities used and perceived. • Introduce interactive and/or climbable As evidenced by the popularity of yarn Unifying the Square Public works of art in St. George’s bombing St George’s Square, the Guelph Square public wants more pop-up activities in All corners of St. George’s Square should • Ensure that public spaces and buildings public spaces. Arts and library programming, have a unifying design element that makes are easy to navigate with children and like yarn-bombing and bookmobiles, are it feel like a single space or piazza. Potential strollers. great, but more pop-up commercial will ideas are a colonnade affixed to the facades increase the quantity and quality of street life. or a tensile shade anchored in each space. Public Patio Specifically, street vendors and food trucks Additionally, the center of the Square could St Georges Square can be differentiated from are great ways to layer in additional activities incorporate a built element to reinforce the Market Square by making it less of an event and destination. terminating vista where the alignments of space and more of a day-to-day space for Douglas, Quebec, and Wyndham Streets the community to linger and socialize. The Programming in St George’s Square could intersect. Square could function as a public patio. The include: covered area at Market Square provides great • Improve aesthetic consistency • A bike share staging area protection from passing rain or bright sunlight throughout the square during events. Likewise, weather should • Beach volleyball • Paint surface or use ground art to be considered in the design of all outdoor • Public vegetable garden delineate the Square spaces. Preferably, public spaces should • Narrow the roads/extend sidewalks create microclimates that provide shade • Winter market – ex. Vintage clothing through striping/experimentation in the summer and wind protection in the • Outdoor craft market winter. • Remove concrete barriers and raised • Interactive sculpture and/or temporary planting beds art to connect with other quadrants • Add shade/canopy/triangular canvases - Fill sunken plaza with sod or decking • Dance lessons creating a park/play area • Add temporary moveable tree canopy

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 15 • Children’s programming (sidewalk chalk - Replace current planters with more beginning at the edge of the square on both art/painted games) attractive vessels Wyndham and Quebec reduce pedestrian crossing • Buskers and impromptu (comedic) - Remove cages around the trees distances with minimal impact to on street parking. performances because they act as physical obstacles There should be no parking within the boundaries in the space. of the square, but bus bays can be recessed into • Gaming tables, chess checkers - Reconfigure the planter boxes the curb line as needed. Douglas Street is also • A temporary children’s play area around St. George’s Square and; narrowed along its current alignment, potentially • Frequent seasonal events possibly locate them around the becoming one way and/or allowing for flexible fountain to soften the space and or scheduled closures. All curb radii would be Amenities that support these activities welcome people to sit around the reduced to the minimum needed for city buses include: fountain to turns on their regular routes. The conceptual T-Square (Maintaining the T Intersection) design could utilize mountable curbs or a shared • Moveable tables and chairs space design as well.

• Giant chess game Wyndham Street has excess capacity given the Presently, the daunting impression of the roadway • Small kiosk or food cart; and current volumes and has been identified as a overwhelms the fragmented square, making the priority streetscape in downtown. Removing • Small seasonal garden beds. traffic intersection the focus rather than the spaces excess capacity is a proven safety countermeasure it anchors. The purpose of this conceptual design • Stage/flexible performance area that generally reduces speeding and crash rates is to better utilize the existing alignments and • Interactive and/or climbable Public without increasing congestion, see http://www. allow for a design that can easily be tested with works of art pps.org/reference/rightsizing/. In addition, space temporary, removable materials to justify a larger that was once necessary for buses to pull over for • Temporary/rotating window displays/art revisiting of the Square and its circulation patterns exhibits in the surrounding buildings extended periods is no longer necessary given the as indicated below. relocation of transfers. - Recruit active ground floor uses

• Overhead string lighting across Douglas In this conceptual design, the approaches Street can create a pleasant outdoor from Wyndham and Quebec are reduced to ambience one through lane in each direction, which is as • Art projections on the walls of the banks narrow as possible without preventing busses from entering the Square. In addition, neckdowns • Attractive planters:

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 16 Concept Diagram overhead lighting (T-Square) Wyndham St. N Scotiabank

Food, Vending and Art Dining and Market

Post Office market stalls

retractable moveable tables bollards . CIBC and umbrellas vending carts Douglasoutdoor St patio seating (food, coffee etc) Old Quebec Street Shops window/ temporary temporary/ art display new temporary/ interactive art moveable tables BMO planters interactive art and chairs temporary fountain stage (deck) Performances and information Information craft market stalls kiosk Pharmasave bike racks food vendor . Quebec St temporary/ Wyndham St. N lighted planting bed interactive art

level the plaza with decking or sod giant chess interactive play sculpture

moveable cafe seating sidewalk extensions on both sides of RBC Royal Bank Wyndham Street

Interactive Play N

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 17 Food vending and Art Displays

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 18 Interactive Play

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 19 Dining and Market

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 20 Performance and information

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 21 Long Term Recommendations for St. George’s Square

While smaller improvements could be • Create a shared space with either of the Programming made right away to change the aspect of St. traffic configurations mentioned above, George’s Square, certain elements would take but with the public realm and traffic A consolidated plaza would create a stage for lanes at one grade like on Carden Street. longer to design and implement. In the long larger events, festivals and performances such Delineation would be achieved through term, a unified square that serves multiple use of bollards, trees, and/or changes in as: constituencies, including downtown workers materials. looking for a nice place to eat lunch, families • Markets (Holiday, night, cultural, flea, • Close Douglas Street to through traffic, craft etc) looking for safe and inspiring play spaces, and but consider allowing emergency cultural partners who want to help present vehicles and/or left open for early • Large music concerts/staged events performances, festivals, food events, and morning deliveries, • Outdoor movies more can become the major destination in downtown Guelph. Amenities • Beer garden • Product promotions/launches • A central feature that attracts more Experiments that could be tested are activity – fountain or sculpture; • Cultural festivals mentioned below and further discussed in the following pages: • Garden areas; and • Demonstration classes • Places for children to play and for a wide • Public speeches • Consolidate the quadrants of the square range of games, small sculptures to create a bigger public space: • Fundraisers • Establish free standing one or two level • Study circulation (around and through market hall in the square. • Catered events the square): • Repave the entire square to announce it • Book fairs, readings, signings etc • Narrow the curb to curb distance with as a destination • Fashion shows permanent neckdowns and a speed table and only one lane of traffic in each • Outdoor dances direction on Wyndham. • Flower shows • Create a central square with vehicular circulation reoriented around the edge • Art exhibits

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 22 Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 23 Unified Square range of 3.5 to 5 meters wide with significant square are redirected over Wellington Street street tree planting. A narrower, more intimate or Norfolk Street in this design. St. George’s Square is a significant new public sidewalk environment doesn’t need a lot of space of at least 3,000 square meters, with programming and would make the space The southern approach on Wyndham Street one lane of one way traffic circulating around in front of the current land uses feel more is deflected to allow for smoother traffic it in a clockwise fashion. The redesigned inviting and comfortable. flow into and out of the square and prevent square would NOT be a roundabout, rotary, turns from occurring to quickly in sequence. or circle. Rather, it creates a true square Space for buses to load and unload is A pedestrian refuge and splitter island would reflecting the original dimensions with which provided either in the approach to the be needed in the middle of the southern St. George’s Square was laid out, relatively Square or within the Square; however, approach due to the fact that pedestrians equal in both length and width, and with this hasn’t been indicated in the drawing crossing eastward at that point would have to street names along its sides such as St. since locating the bus bay(s) would require turn over 90° counterclockwise to cross the George’s Square North, St. George’s Square additional planning with Guelph transit and first lane of traffic and nearly 90° clockwise to East, and so forth. The conceptual design any other bus operators. The turning radii at cross the second lane. inherently unifies the isolated quadrants of the corners of the square are small, in the the square and creates a greater spectrum of vicinity of 7.3m. However, a mountable and/ Optional: Create a shared space with the potential uses. Due to it’s conceptual nature, or material-delineated skirt is provided in the public realm and traffic lanes at one grade grading has not been directly addressed and additional space occupied by a 12.8m radius, such as on Carden Street. Delineation would would require additional investigation. to facilitate the unfettered turning of buses be achieved through use of bollards, trees, while communicating to other drivers that and/or changes in materials. Currently, the banks and other land uses lining they should confine themselves to the tighter the square are recessed and hidden from the turn. This technique is widely used in the center of activity, namely the intersection of design of modern roundabouts. Neckdowns Wyndham and Quebec. Further, those land begin many meters back from the start of the uses by their very nature (banks, community square calming traffic in advance of entering services, etc.) are unable or unlikely to attract the Square. Traffic on Douglas Street is one enough activity to a public realm the size of way, most likely exiting the square. As with the quadrants. Solving both of these issues, the aforementioned concept, trucks are the design converts the existing public realm a minor consideration. Trucks not making along the frontages into a sidewalk in the deliveries within the blocks terminating at the Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 24 Concept Diagram Wyndham St. N (Unified Square) Scotiabank

Post Office

CIBC

Old Quebec Street Shops moveable tables food kiosk and chairs BMO temporary stage (deck)

fountain

food vendor (coffee, icecream etc) Pharmasave craft market flexible event space interactive art . childrens’ play area Quebec St game area information kiosk

umbrella seating

RBC Royal Bank moveable cafe seating

N

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 25 Concept Diagram (Unified Wyndham St. N Square with Central Structure) Scotiabank

Post Office

CIBC

seasonal seasonal market plantings Old Quebec Street Shops moveable tables and chairs temporary stage BMO (deck)

market craft market hall Pharmasave

. interactive art childrens’ Quebec St play area flexible event space game area

umbrella seating

RBC Royal Bank

N

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 26 Unified Square with Central Structure

The Central Structure conceptual design is essentially identical to the Unified Square concept above. The major difference is a return to the Square’s original function of having a major institutional structure on center, not realized since St. George’s Church was removed in 1873. Having a strong visual terminus along Quebec, Wyndham, and Douglas creates a psychological stimulus for people to gather at the square. Tables and chars spilling out from the central structure Potentially, this is a satellite location of the Guelph Farmer’s Market, though it could be any number of civic uses. Loading and unloading from the building is addressed by providing a mountable space within the square that delivery trucks could access at designated times. The inclusion of a structure does NOT necessitate its own onsite parking, since public parking is nearby.

Optional: Create a shared space with the public realm and traffic lanes at one grade such as on Carden Street. Delineation would be achieved through use of bollards, trees, and/or changes in materials.

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 27

Scale comparison: Farmers Market. Guelph Scale comparison: Market Square, Guelph

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 28 Management of Downtown Public Space

A public space advisory council could be Principal Management Tasks for Programming convened that serve to advance the goals Downtown Public Space “Programming” refers to the wide variety of and objectives laid out in this report in the planned activities and to all the facilities, City immediate term. This council could be A well functioning public realm is achieved agencies, and equipment related to them. comprised of City staff, the Downtown when both public and private sector interests Special events and programmes should Guelph Business Association (DGBA), the are balanced, both of which are key to the give everyone a sense of ownership of and Chamber of Commerce, as well as leaders success of many urban public spaces. Public responsibility for the space where they occur: from various stakeholder groups. space managers seek to create and sustain this balance, which is not as difficult as it may • schedule performances and events that The various management stakeholders (e.g. seem when all parties agree upon a vision. will take place throughout the year DGBA) should develop their own strategy on how to work complimentary with one • furnish the space appropriately, for Security and Hospitality example, with chairs and tables that can another. They each have obvious strengths be moved from sun to shade and back and challenges and should work to find Security should be visible and comforting the place where their skills can supplement without being intrusive. While the City’s • operate a retail program, with vending carts or a seasonal cafe each other. There needs to be a change in police department provides sufficient security the culture regarding how the downtown on an everyday basis, paid ambassadors who • use temporary art to build partnerships is managed. For example, the DGBA could greet visitors and answer questions would with other institutions. expand on its advocacy role and become provide opportunities for random social Programming a public space successfully more involved in producing events. They interaction and improve visitors’ experience. is an entrepreneurial art; the programmer also have a big role to play in finessing the Ambassador also could subtly enforce rules drives the content the way a curator does in a interaction between local designers, the arts of social conduct. If people feel “hosted” and museum. community and business owners to create “welcomed,” they don’t feel the need to be more attractive retail signage throughout the “protected,” because to a very large extent downtown. the space becomes self-policing. For events that will attract large numbers of people, additional security may be outsourced.

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 29 Complimentary events should be planned permits and insurance. In addition, permit and Fundraising before, during, or after sporting events and insurance requirements could be reduced or Raising money to support the programming other major events that are already attracting in some cases eliminated. of the City’s public spaces from a variety of people downtown. Certain local businesses funding sources is key to creating a vibrant, are not seeing increased patronization during Marketing and Promotion well-maintained space. Establishing a not- events and are actually losing customers, Promoting the events and activities that for-profit to seek grant money and donations, even when they are handing out coupons take place in the City’s public spaces will or empowering a re-imagined DGBA to do so and flyers. Events should be timed so that be an important adjunct to programming, and raising money from user fees and rentals, both regular patrons and event goers both particularly as spaces are programmed for the will be important seed money to supplement feel welcome to the space. When other first time. Promotion during the transition City funding for the public realm. spaces are unavailable, downtown churches should help locating existing events taking can be used as public spaces under the right place in new areas and new events. circumstances. Commercial Tenant Management

Governance Until the Square is redesigned its public The public spaces and the surrounding spaces become well-known and sought- ground floor commercial uses around St. The City or another entity could craft an after, it will be as imperative to market the George’s Square should be seamlessly intuitive and graphic guide to hosting an Square to performance groups, special integrated. The public should flow from event or contributing to programming in event sponsors or other potential partners, outside to inside and vice versa with as few downtown Guelph or the Square. This could as it is to spectators and users. To help barriers as possible. The activities of the include anything from hosting a private “build the brand” and get the programming restaurant and retail tenants should spill gala to adding outdoor cafe seating. If this rolling, a commitment to marketing and right into the streets and Square, and the is done by a nongovernmental entity, they promotion, and the special skills it requires, outdoor activities and circulation should could further recommended providers for will be needed right away, even before the move smoothly through the buildings. The services and materials like facades, signage. Square is redesigned. This is an activity that management entity, therefore, should work Getting permits and liability insurance is a can be shared with local civic and cultural to coordinate the tenants’ outdoor activities major hassle for those interested in utilizing organizations that may be using the space. (e.g. outdoor dining), interior and storefront downtown’s public realm. Such a publication designs, and signage, and to involve them in would direct individuals through the post programming and special events. cost and time effective means of attaining

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 30 • More evening/seasonal use in adjacent businesses • Banks should also be active participants in the future of the Square. The history of St. George’s Square is intertwined with the banks that have anchored it. The history could be highlighted in the programming and design of the Square. Events and activities that the banks are hosting inside their buildings or elsewhere in the City can be brought into the Square, at least in terms of financial support. For instance, RBC has used their parking lot for programming like road hockey, which could potentially be moved to the Square. The walls of the banks could be used for art, specifically projected art. The frontages should be activated, even made to seem like stores. Because downtown branches are losing their unique role regionally and quality, reprogramming the Square could return them to their flagship, community-orientated prominence.

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 31

Appendix 4

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5

Workshop Place Game Site Map

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 34 Workshop Summary Site 1 – NW Corner of St. Long Term Improvements George’s Square • Reorganize intersection to create a On March 6, 2013, PPS facilitated roundabout with the fountain in the center a workshop with community Positives • Widen sidewalks • Reconnect corners and edges of the stakeholders, Council members, • The fountain Square • Some seating City planners, staff, residents • Greenery • Pedestrian friendly Site 2 – SW corner of St. and students to strategize ways • Some decorative lights in which downtown Guelph can • Public telephone George’s Square become a great economically Positives LQC Improvements viable and livable destination. • Seating Amenities • Sense of enclosure Over 60 participants worked • Lighting together to develop an overall • Improve wayfinding signage • Activity of day businesses • Lighted directory • Variety of Merchants concept for St. Georges Square • Add flexible seating • Well kept buildings • Add family friendly/kid interactive art • Historic facades and its surrounding destinations, • Add gaming tables, chess checkers • Reconfigure planter boxes; possibly LQC Improvements including Douglas Street, Central locate around the fountain Station and the Farmers Market. • Run fountain all year • Improve aesthetic consistency • Utilize bus shelters throughout the square • Add shade/canopy/triangular canvases • Extend hours for Capistrano • Add bike racks • Encourage impromptu use • Paint surface to delineate the Square • Narrow the roads through striping/ Activities/Uses experimentation • Attract buskers and impromptu (comedic) performances • Dance classes Amenities • Attract a few signature craft vendors • Diversify street food options • Café seating • Repurpose alley • Pop up cafe • Splash pad - Open up roof to art installations • Moveable planters

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 35 • Temporary moveable tree canopy with Site 3 – St. George’s Square East Long Term Improvements seating • Orientation maps/ signs of downtown • Remove walls Positives • Uniformity in materials to connect quadrants. (ex. cobblestone street) • Wide open • Raise road to sidewalk • Trees • Provide shade Activities/Uses • Nice view of fountain • Greenspace • Bike share staging area • Occasional buskers • Drug clean up • Beach volleyball • People watching Amenities • Public vegetable garden • Nice oak trees • Winter market – ex. Vintage clothing • Central feeling • Add a drinking fountain • Jewelry market • Add an interactive sculpture • Add sculpture • Provide a visual ground map • Temporary art to connect with other • Implement distance markers quadrants LQC Improvements • Redesign fountain as a splash pad • Clear the snow and make snow sculptures • More color • Extend crosswalk all the way Activities/Uses • Remove retaining wall Long Term Improvements • Encourage diverse vendors • Simplify the space; fix the grades • Create family friendly areas • Improve accessibility • Create a skateboard area • Add shade/colour; ex. tree canopy Amenities • Program kids activities • More evening/seasonal use in adjacent • Bike racks businesses • Signage • Connect to other quadrants • More trees/greenery • Reduce vehicle zone • More seating Site 4 - Douglas Street • Relocate the “back stage” (clutter of utility • Add all year lighting (ex.twinkle lights) and info board) • Outdoor retail displays and café seating Positives

Activities/Uses • Historic architecture • Variety of heritage materials • Close Wyndham Street for events • Street width • Painted hopscotch/sidewalk chalk art • Church sightlines • Outdoor markets • Controlled signage • Amphitheater/dance lessons • Variety of business options- Café, • Art installation space restaurant, bakery, lawyer • Walking police presence • Wide sidewalk on one side • Charm

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 36 • Slow one way traffic Site 5 - Farmers Market Long Term Improvements • Linkage to river/residences • Restore brick outside and inside Positives • Remove vinyl LQC – Long Term Improvements • Expand outdoor covered space • Welcoming • Create openings to back side – Gordon • Close Douglas Street to traffic • Friendly crowds Street • Organize a street market • Walkable • Relocate bus stop closer to Wilson St. • Organize pedestrian only Sunday • Central location entrance door • Improve warmth of space • Wide selection of fresh organic food • Replace overpass to create a more • Explain significance of buildings using • On a bus route inviting walk, with more coverage signage • Meeting place • Improve linkage to Fountain St. parking • Beautify Scotia bank wall • Diverse users • Close Wilson Street to traffic • Link to St. Georges Square and County • Artisans • Develop improvement opportunities to • Add wayfinding signage the Heritage Conservation Plan • Replicate Carden Street appearance and the cobblestone surface treatment LQC Improvements • Improve retail spaces Amenities • Eliminate street parking? • Advertise market days and events in • Draw murals on walls – red brick alleyway college papers and website • Develop a comprehensive wayfinding signage plan • Signage to portray history Amenities Amenities • Provide murals/directional signage to different spaces – City Hall • Add more lighting • Add signage • Add a pop up café/retail • Add awnings, shade • Add large art work and murals on the • Murals on the walls of the Wilson Street walls of the alleyway underpass walls to serve as signage • Opening up the roof of buildings in the • Add a performance stage Site 6 –Central Station alleyway to art installations • Add heritage lighting • Provide additional seating • Add outdoor seating • Modify signage – too many “no parking” Positives and “stop” signs Activities/Uses • Navigable • Openness • Music and performances • Central location • Childrens’ area • Connects to railway • Extra days or hours • Expand to Wilson Street for vendors and/ or to Fresh Field Street LQC Improvements • Outdoor stalls • Break up distance of tracks - Tracks are a barrier

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 37 - Fence reduces mobility from one Activities/Uses end to another • Coffee shop • Mixed use development on north side Amenities • Add temporary greenery such as hanging planters • Bus schedules- event board • Interactive touch screen info • Downtown Directional signage • Street furniture –seating etc

Activities/Uses • Musicians, buskers • Add checkers and chess tables • Add Wi-fi • Diversify food vendors • Pedestrian orientation using existing maps (rotated to correct orientation)

Long Term Improvements • Shorten the distance to MacDonell Street by creating a passage through the buildings - Central block mews • Improve blank facades • Connect to retail using landscaping, signage, and or lighting • Subdivide east properties

Amenities • More bike racks • Better wayfinding • More permanent greenery across street • More shelter – improve existing to be more weather proof • Improve bus stop signage – route numbers, next bus etc

Downtown Guelph Vision & Program Plan 38