T H E D O W N I E D I S T R I C TFRAMEWORK WORKING PLAN

STRATFORD CONNECTED

O V E R V I E W00 // PREAMBLE01 // DEFINING THE DOWNIE DISTRICT02 // MOMENTUM OF CHANGE03 // THE OPPORTUNITY & CATALYST04 // THE CONCEPT IN ACTION05 // SUCCESS STORIES06 // GOALS07 // SUMMARY

S T R A T F O R D... is renowned as a vibrant, creative, and cultural community, expressed by its famous theatre company, pronounced history, innovative cuisine, garden city landscape, and well-conserved Victorian architecture.

despite its accolades, Stratford has untapped potential waiting on its doorstep. the CNR Site is 17 acres of prime, centrally located land in the heart of one of Canada’s most celebrated communites ...

... which just so happens to house a historical relic of unparalleled potential, and a satellite campus of Canada’s leading university of innovation.

AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE DOES NOT COME AROUND EVERY DAY!

- JANE JACOBS

“ D E S I G N I N G A D R E A M C I T Y I S E A S Y , R E B U I L D I N G A L I V I N G O N E T A K E S I M A G I N A T I O N ”

01 //DEFINING THE DOWNIE DISTRICT

THE CNR CENTRE IN CONTEXT TO THE CITY: A CATALYST FOR GROWTH

BUILDING ON EXISTING ASSETS ...

AVON THEATRECITY HALL

UW DIGITAL MEDIA CAMPUSSTRATFORD GENERAL HOSPITAL

STRONG RETAIL

HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

MARKET SQUARE

LIBRARY

COURT HOUSE

FESTIVAL THEATRE

PATTERSON THEATRE

VIA RAIL STATION

LAWN BOWLING

TENNIS COURTS

SKATE PARK

SCHOOL SITES

TENNIS CLUB

HAMLET PUBLIC SCHOOL

PARK

ALLMAN ARENA

CANOE RENTALLIONS POOL

CENTRAL HIGH

QUEEN’S PARK

AVON THEATRECITY HALL

UW DIGITAL MEDIA CAMPUSSTRATFORD GENERAL HOSPITAL

STRONG RETAIL

PEDESTRIAN LINKAGES

MARKET SQUARE

LIBRARY

COURT HOUSE

FESTIVAL THEATRE

PATTERSON THEATRE

VIA RAIL STATION

LAWN BOWLING

TENNIS COURTS

SKATE PARK

SCHOOL SITES

TENNIS CLUB

HAMLET PUBLIC SCHOOL

PARK

ALLMAN ARENA

CANOE RENTALLIONS POOL

CENTRAL HIGH

QUEEN’S PARK

AND PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION ...

ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD

ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD

ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD

DOWNTOWN CORE

RAIL LANDS & OPEN SPACE

AND STRONG NEIGHBOURHOODS ...

BUILDING ON SUCCESSES OF THE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT PLAN

?

SHOULD THE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES EXPAND?

HCD

HCD+

ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD

ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD

ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD

RAIL LANDS & OPEN SPACE

AVON THEATRECITY HALL

UW DIGITAL MEDIA CAMPUSSTRATFORD GENERAL HOSPITAL

STRONG RETAIL

PEDESTRIAN LINKAGES

MARKET SQUARE

LIBRARY

COURT HOUSE

FESTIVAL THEATRE

PATTERSON THEATRE

VIA RAIL STATION

LAWN BOWLING

TENNIS COURTS

SKATE PARK

SCHOOL SITES

TENNIS CLUB

HAMLET PUBLIC SCHOOL

PARK

ALLMAN ARENA

CANOE RENTALLIONS POOL

CENTRAL HIGH

QUEEN’S PARK

DOWNTOWN CORE

HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

THE CNR SITEA CRITICAL CONNECTOR OF STRATFORD’S HERITAGE, UNIQUE SUCCESSES, AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

02 //MOMENTUM OF CHANGE

CURRENT & POTENTIAL MOMENTUM

ERIE STREET PARKADE PROPOSALS

MARKET SQUARE

ST JOHNS UNITED

388 DOWNIE RESTORATION

BRADSHAW HOTEL

FLATIRON RESTORATIONMCDOUGAL DEVELOPMENT

YMCA EXPANSION

PROPOSED DISTILLERY

POUNDER BROS LOT

UW DIGITAL MEDIA CAMPUS & EXPANSION PLANS

POLICE STATION SITE

LARGE UNDERUTILIZED PARK

VIA RAIL STATION

& TRAIN FREQUENCYNEW BUSINESS INCUBATOR

EMPLOYMENT NODE (HOSPITAL)

EMPLOYMENT NODE

MARKET SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT

YORK CLOSE RETAIL EXTENSION

70 UNIT MULTI RESIDENTIAL

CNR BUILDING

& PROPERTY

RIVERSEDGE COLLABORATION INITIATIVES

388 DOWNIE RESTORATION

BRADSHAW HOTEL

70 UNIT MULTI RESIDENTIAL

CNR BUILDING

& PROPERTY YMCA EXPANSION

388 DOWNIE RESTORATION

YMCA EXPANSION 70 UNIT MULTI RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS AWAITING CITY’S APPROVAL OF RIVERSEDGE’S ADAPTIVE REUSE PLAN FOR THE FORMER CNR SITE

THE CNR BUILDING

ST PATRICK STREET

COOP

ER S

TREE

T

GEORGE STREET

DOURO STREET

GRANGE STREET

MARKET PL

BRUNSWICK ST

FALSTAFF STREET

YMCA

BRADSHAW

VIA RAIL

388

CITYHALL

JUSTICEBLDG

MILTON STREET

KENT LN

SHAKESPEARE STREET

ST DAVID STREET

WATERLOO STREET S

FLATIRON

VIA RAIL STATION

CNR BUILDING& PROPERTY

ESSEX-GODERICH LINE - UNDER UTILIZED

VIA RAIL - TORONTO(UNDER UTILIZED)

VIA RAIL - LONDON (UNDER UTILIZED)

UWW

ELLI

NGTO

N ST

REET

DOWNIE STREET

THE DOWNIE DISTRICT

DOWNIE STREET

ST PATRICK STREETW

ELLI

NGTO

N ST

REET

COOP

ER S

TREE

T

GEORGE STREET

DOURO STREET

GRANGE STREET

MARKET PL

BRUNSWICK ST

FALSTAFF STREET

YMCA

BRADSHAW

VIA RAIL

388

CITYHALL

UW

JUSTICEBLDG

MILTON STREET

KENT LN

SHAKESPEARE STREET

ST DAVID STREET

WATERLOO STREET S

CNR BUILDING

FLATIRON

PARKING STRUCTURE

DEMONSTRATION PLAN

PARKING

03 //THE OPPORTUNITY & CATALYST

T H E D O W N I E D I S T R I C TThe former CNR site offers an unparalleled opportunity for the City of Stratford to strengthen and link the downtown, adjacent neighbourhoods and beyond through the creation of a holistic and integrated Downie District Framework Plan.

the plan presents a valuable opportunity to advance the City’s planning and economic development goals.

The Downie District will reflect the highest order of city building principles. It will provide a model for ecologically sensitive, adaptive, entrepreneurial, and walkable urban development.

WHAT IS THE CNR SITE IN CONTEXT TO THE DOWNIE DISTRICT?

THE CELEBRATION OF A FASCINATING PAST

A GATEWAY TO A CONNECTED FUTURE

THROUGH INCREMENTAL GAINS ON THE SMALL SCALE ...

EVENTS // POPUPS // FAIRS // MARKETS // MUSIC // LARGE SCALE ART EXHIBITS // EDUCATION // FOOD // CAFÉ // THEATRE // SETS // FILMS //INTERPRETATION

// BIKE RENTAL – TRAIL HEAD

AND A CATALYST FOR SO MUCH MORE ...

FORMALIZED VENUES // RESTAURANTS // UW FACULTY EXPANSION // MUSEUM // PERMANENT FESTIVAL SPACE // INNOVATION // DEMONSTRATION // STORMWATER

MANAGEMENT // DISTRICT HEATING // GEOTHERMAL //CITY BUILDING

T H E D O W N I E D I S T R I C T• Becomes the physical connector of neighbourhoods that is paramount to the success

of the Downie District;• Becomes a social and innovation hub that fosters the entrepreneurial spirit of the

existing economy and future economy of the City of Stratford;• Becomes an exciting destination for residents, visitors, students and businesses alike.

04 //THE CONCEPT IN ACTION

• A Riversedge Developments project;• 34 Acres of waterfront property within the canal district;• Significant heritage buildings on site;• Steps from downtown Sault Ste Marie.

M I L L S Q U A R ESAULT STE MARIE ON

ACTIVATOR OF THE CANAL DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Priority Projects are:

Gore Street Streetscape Improvements (Design & Construction);

Huron Street Welcome Parkette and Streetscape (Design & Construction);

Queen Street Furnishings Update (Design &

Install);

Signature Park (Design & Construction);

Bay Street Streetscape (Design &

Construction);

John Rowswell HUB Trail Spokes (Conceptual Design).

Downtown Campus Working Group

Long Term Projects are:

John Rowswell HUB Trail spokes

(Construction);

Huron Street Roundabout (Design &

Construction;

Bay Street West (Design & construction).

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

5

6

7

SHORT AND LONG TERM COMMUNITY RENEWAL

05 //SUCCESS STORIES

T H E E V E R G R E E NB R I C K W O R K STORONTO ON

BEFORE

BEFORE

STEP 1 - RE-NATURALIZE STEP 2 - ALLOW ACCESS

STEP 3 - ALLOW TO EVOLVE OVER TIME

STEP 3 - ALLOW TO EVOLVE OVER TIME

R O C V A N T W E N T EHENGELO NL

T H E D I S T I L L E R Y D I S T R I C TTORONTO ON

STEP 1 - ALLOW ACCESSSTEP 1 - ALLOW ACCESS

STEP 2 - ALLOW IT TO EVOLVE OVER TIME

D U I S B U R G N O R DESSEN DE

06 //GOALS

A D O W N I E D I S T R I C T F R A M E W O R K P L A NC A N :• Leverage the distinct sense of place• Create a new publicly accessible space• Tell the story + remember the significance• Improve pedestrian network and open space• Establish a cultural and social hub• Develop an integrated public realm plan

07 //SUMMARY

DOWNIE STREET

ST PATRICK STREET

WEL

LING

TON

STRE

ET

COOP

ER S

TREE

T

GEORGE STREET

DOURO STREET

GRANGE STREET

MARKET PL

BRUNSWICK ST

FALSTAFF STREET

YMCA

BRADSHAW

VIA RAIL

388

CITYHALL

UW

JUSTICEBLDG

MILTON STREET

KENT LN

SHAKESPEARE STREET

ST DAVID STREET

WATERLOO STREET S

CNR BUILDING

FLATIRON

PARKING STRUCTURE

DEMONSTRATION PLAN

PARKING

THE DOWNIE DISTRICT FRAMEWORK PLAN

As this presentation illustrates, the current momentum of recent and new initiatives, including, but not limited to the establishment of the University of Waterloo Digital Media Campus to the excitement generated by the Riversedge Development Group surrounding the reconception of the Bradshaw Building, to the unparalleled potential of the CNR Structure, the City of Stratford has a unique opportunity to capitalize on this momentum and generate a Downie District Framework Plan.

The Planning Partnership previously worked in collaboration with Greenberg Consultants, Riversedge Developments, and the City of Sault Ste. Marie in developing the Canal District Neighbourhood Plan. Upon realizing they had stumbled upon an architectural asset in the former St. Mary’s Paper Mill, Riversedge Developments approached the City of Sault Ste. Marie. The Canal District Neighbourhood Plan was initiated so to capitalize on the former St Mary’s paper mill heritage buildings, as well as a lengthy list of existing, but neglected assets in the immediate viscinity to provide a guiding framework for immediate development in the Canal District.

As well, in embarking on the Neighbourhood Plan, the City took the important step of developing a tool that will help guide an improved public realm for the Canal District. This Plan will also provide the rationale to support land use decisions, and is a tool that provides a carefully considered vision for what the Canal District can become.

The elements of the Plan emerged from a lengthy and collaborative process involving consultation sessions with local stakeholders, the public and City staff. Since the Plan’s adoption, the City has initiated several priority projects, and the results and excitement are tangible and remarkable.

We at the Planning Partnership are thrilled at the possibility to collaborate with Riversedge Developments and Greenberg Consultants and engage with the City of Stratford on such an exciting initiative that could have such profound impacts on such an already vibrant community.

The development of a Downie District Framework Plan is the logical approach to ensure that the incremental transformation of the District occurs in line with a collective community vision, and one that the community can be proud of.

Max KerriganSenior Landscape & Urban Designer