Plans for extending wider sidewalks on Government Street north to Pandora Avenue and adding pedestrian plazas at Courtney Street and Pandora have been endorsed by Victoria city council at a committee of the whole meeting.
The concept for the popular downtown route also includes additional lighting and public art, continuing to limit vehicle traffic to one-way northbound from Courtney to Yates Street, and ongoing horse carriage and car-free periods from Humboldt to View Street, marked with physical barriers like gates or movable bollards.
Vehicles are currently not allowed on that stretch from noon until 10 p.m. Bicycles, pedi-cabs, scooters and skateboards would continue to be permitted on the route at all times.
In a report to council, city staff said the need for significant upgrades to underground and surface infrastructure presents an opportunity to refresh the design of the north-south artery.
One focus is on expanding the existing pedestrian-priority infrastructure north of Yates Street to Pandora Avenue, with wider sidewalks and pedestrian space built in while maintaining two-way vehicle access.
One of the two proposed plazas includes the Lekwungen Plaza on Government Street between Humboldt and Courtney streets, at the “gateway” between the Inner Harbour and Old Town, which would include terraced planters and seating, patio spaces, a pavilion for cultural programming and a “flex zone” for vehicles outside timed car-free hours.
Songhees and Esquimalt Nations were heavily involved in the concept’s creation, staff said.
“This is the first big city project that we’ve done in true partnership with the Lekwungen people,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “And I think it sets a really good foundation forward.”
Another plaza is envisioned for Chinatown on the southeast corner of Pandora Avenue at Government Street, with areas to sit and dine, public toilets, an information booth and spaces for cultural programming.
Only Coun. Geoff Young voted against approving the project, raising concerns about the timed car-free zone, which he says causes confusion for pedestrians and drivers.
“We are neglecting the interest of the city as a whole by denying tourists and other people from outside the downtown core the opportunity to use the street in a normal way with their vehicles and their tour buses and that is why I am not going to be able to support the motion with the wording as it is now,” Young said. “I think it’s going to be bad for the city as a whole.”
In June 2020, the city initiated its Build Back Victoria program, designed to support small businesses suffering because of pandemic-related restrictions on indoor gatherings by increasing spaces for options like outdoor patios.
More public seating and performance space was added to Government Street, and traffic was reduced from two lanes to one. The next year, the daily car-free zone was put in place between Humboldt and View Street.
Staff said the Build Back Victoria program, and associated feedback, helped in the design of the refresh, which was built on workshops, presentations and engagement with more than 2,200 people.
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