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 2 engagement reporting
Project Update, October 4, 2022:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the July 2022 engagement around changes to the Belmont Plaza. The project team is pleased to share the What We Heard Report, which outlines the engagement activities and key themes of feedback from participants.
Key engagement activities included:
- On-site engagement with the community
- On-site project promotion during Uptown Live
- Door-to-door visits to neighbouring businesses
- Email and phone outreach to key stakeholders
- Two pop-up engagement events at the plaza
- Two in-person co-design workshops
In addition to hearing community feedback and ideas for the future permanent plaza, we conducted a study of how the space is currently being used and the experiences of people who currently use Belmont Parklet. Click here to review the findings of the Public Life Study.
Key Takeaways
Through our various engagement activities this summer, we heard a lot of community excitement about plans for an expanded and improved public plaza on Belmont Street. However, some key concerns about the existing space were also confirmed through these conversations. These include smoking, sidewalk gatherings (i.e. creating an obstacle for people walking by), loud motorcycles, litter, the misuse of adjacent parking stalls, street closures and noise levels at nighttime. We also heard a number of inquiries about how changes to the street would impact access for emergency vehicles. We have since confirmed with New Westminster Fire & Rescue Services that the proposed street changes can be accommodated without impacting access or safety.
The project team recognizes that design of the plaza can help address some of these challenges, but the engagement findings have highlighted the need for collaboration with maintenance staff, by-law enforcement, and community champions to create a comfortable space for everyone. We are working with multiple city departments to consider how plaza management – and community stewardship of the plaza – may work in conjunction with the future plaza design.
Meanwhile, we heard from community members this summer that the following features are priorities for a refreshed parklet until the permanent plaza is constructed in 2024:
- More seating (including flexible / movable seating)
- Shade / weather protection
- Additional greenery
- Ensuring a welcoming environment
- Events and activations such as music, food trucks, etc.
- Ongoing maintenance and upkeep
Community input will be incorporated as the project team plans for a refresh of the parklet in spring 2023.
Next Steps
Based on community feedback, the project team has paused the interim improvements planned for this fall. We are taking the time to coordinate across City departments and planning for the next spring/summer season at the Belmont Parklet. Community members may notice some small changes in the parklet this fall, and in the spring we plan to improve the space, with a larger scale refresh, for an exciting summer in Uptown!
Engagement on the permanent plaza, followed by detailed design, is also expected in 2023.