Uptown Plaza and Sixth Street Public Realm Improvements
Project Update, 2025:
Construction of the permanent plaza and streetscape is now underway. Check the Projects on the Go page on the City's main website for construction information.
Project Overview
Changes are coming on Sixth Street and in Belmont Plaza in Uptown! This project will reimagine Sixth Street between Sixth Avenue and Belmont Street, and Belmont Plaza, to orient this area more clearly towards the public realm and walking, with more flexible uses and improved accessibility.
Proposed features include an expanded, permanent Belmont Plaza, widened sidewalks, improved lighting, more seating, temporary road closures for special events, and prioritization for pedestrians at the intersection of Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue.
While this project previously focused on this block of Sixth Street, based on feedback from the community we have now combined the project to include both public realm improvements on Sixth Street and an expanded Belmont Plaza. We want to be sure these public spaces work well together.
We’re taking feedback from earlier (2021) engagement on Sixth Street and more recent (summer 2022) engagement on Belmont Plaza to develop two concepts for the plaza space and refine the designs for Sixth Street. The options and designs will be presented to the public for feedback later in 2023.
This project takes direction from the vision set in the City of New Westminster’s Council-approved Uptown Streetscape Vision to create “a vibrant commercial district with a distinct identity, accessible and sustainable transportation, as well as inviting and engaging public spaces that are welcoming to all people." While initial plans for in-person consultation on the Uptown Streetscape Vision were postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, engagement with key stakeholders took place in June 2020. Click here to read the Uptown Streetscape Vision Key Stakeholder Engagement Summary Report.
This project aligns with the City’s Master Transportation Plan goals and Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action - specifically, Car-light Community, Quality People-Centred Public Realm, and Robust Urban Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phases
Phase 1 engagement: Sixth Street Public Realm design elements from Sixth Avenue to Belmont Street
Changes are coming on Sixth Street in Uptown! This project will reimagine Sixth Street between Sixth Avenue and Belmont Street to orient the street more clearly toward the public realm and walking, with more flexible uses of Sixth Street and its edges, as well as improving accessibility.
Proposed features include widened sidewalks, improved lighting, more seating, temporary road closures for special events, and a “pedestrian scramble” at 6th Street and 6th Avenue that would see all vehicle traffic stopped while pedestrians can cross all-ways at once.
We are excited to hear your feedback on options and design details for the look and feel of Sixth Street.
This block of Sixth Street is centrally located in the heart of Uptown and takes direction from the vision set in the City of New Westminster’s Council-approved Uptown Streetscape Vision to create “a vibrant commercial district with a distinct identity, accessible and sustainable transportation, as well as inviting and engaging public spaces that are welcoming to all people." While initial plans for in-person consultation on the Uptown Streetscape Vision were postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, engagement with key stakeholders took place in June 2020. Click here to read the Uptown Streetscape Vision Key Stakeholder Engagement Summary Report.
Related to the Uptown Sixth Street Public Realm Improvements, the design process and public engagement for the Uptown Active Transportation Improvements were launched earlier this fall. This project includes upgrades to one section of the Rotary Crosstown Greenway, and a new cycling connector to New Westminster Secondary School. Find out more at the Be Heard page here.
Both the Sixth Street Public Realm Improvements and the Uptown Active Transportation Improvements align with the City’s Master Transportation Plan goals and Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action - specifically, Car-light Community, Quality People-Centred Public Realm, and Robust Urban Forest.