Cobourgs Celebration Project for Canadas 150 th Birthday Contents - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Victoria Square

Cobourg’s Celebration Project for Canada’s 150th Birthday

Contents

• Introductions
• Our Story
• Victoria Square Phases I-III
• Waterfront Development
• Victoria Square Phase IV

(1999 Report & 2003 Plan)

• Victoria Square Today
• The Possibilities
• Phase IV Renewed
• Public Input
• References
• Contact

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Our Story … a brief history of events

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• Cobourg was incorporated on July 1, 1837.
• Victoria Hall, a National Historic Site, was named after Queen

Victoria and officially opened by her son, the Prince of Wales and future King Edward VII, in 1860.

• On July 1, 1867, James Cockburn, a Father of Confederation

and the first Speaker of the House of Commons, announced Confederation from Victoria Hall.

• Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1972 and in 1983 the Governor-

General opened the restored Victoria Hall.

• In 2017, Victoria Hall and Victoria Square will be the focus of

celebrations commemorating Canada’s 150th birthday and Cobourg’s 180th birthday.

Our Story … early days

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• Many historic communities and civic buildings around the

world have been designed around central squares and meeting places. Cobourg’s civic square became undefined.

• The majestic Victoria

Hall was built to face growing commerce on main street and to better connect with the

• railways. The industrial

and commercial harbour remained important throughout Cobourg’s history.

Our Story … early days continued

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• Major change to harbour activity began in the 1950’s. As

Cobourg’s waterfront evolved, an industrial focus on the transportation of coal, iron ore and oil through the community and its harbour continued.

Our Story … archive photo circa 1919

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Our Story … arriving to today

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• During the 1980s the Town acquired the harbour from the

federal government and introduced a new waterfront vision involving public participation.

• Over the last 30 years industrial remnants, including oil tanks,

rail tracks and contaminated soils, were removed. The Town’s downtown, waterfront and parks have undergone dramatic

• transformations. A thriving and walkable community,

Cobourg is also an important tourist centre and destination of choice.

Victoria Square Phases I-III

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• From a 1999 report, a four-

phased project was initiated to redevelop the area surrounding Victoria Hall known as Victoria Square by:

• establishing an important public

place in the historical downtown;

• encouraging year-round and

flexible uses;

• enhancing accessibility and

enjoyment by all users; and

• utilizing creative design.

Highlights from Victoria Square Phases I – III

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• water features, name pavers, unique furniture & game boards

Waterfront Development

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• Over the course of a few decades, the Town transformed the

waterfront as a jewel of the public parkland system and has begun to strengthen connections with the historic downtown.

Victoria Square Phase IV (2003)

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• In 2003, a design for the

final phase of the Victoria Square redevelopment was completed. The project would define the civic square for Cobourg and its citizens …

Victoria Square Phase IV (2003)

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Victoria Square Today

…but Phase IV was never completed.

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Victoria Square … Today

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Victoria Square … Today

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Victoria Square … Today

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The Possibilities

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• Civic squares and public places in great towns and cities of the

world can provide inspiration … ideas to transform the community’s social, cultural and economic fabric …

The Possibilities

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More Possibilities

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• Cobourg’s civic square as a platform for sharing our story and

to display unique and world-class public art …

And more possibilities …

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Phase IV Renewed

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The Council-appointed Victoria Square Phase IV Committee has renewed objectives for 2016:

• updating the vision for Victoria Square to include:
• community gathering places that welcome all citizens and visitors;
• expanded and flexible spaces for programming;
• enhanced pedestrian corridor between the waterfront and the

downtown business area and adjacent neighbourhoods;

• creative design, sustainability and accessibility;
• protection of the heritage value of a National Historic Site; and
• promotion of culture and entertainment.
• preparing working drawings and cost estimates; and
• completing the construction in time to celebrate Canada’s

sesquicentennial in 2017.

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2016 Project Boundary is in blue

Phase IV Renewed

Phase IV Renewed …

downtown to waterfront pedestrian corridor

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Phase IV … area renewal

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Phase IV Renewed

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Key Design Features:

• pedestrian-oriented civic square

with lively edges

• features & spaces to accommodate

indoor & outdoor programming, including performance platforms and temporary stages

• year-round flexible spaces and uses,

including streets and parking

• interactive public art
• innovative use of water and lighting
• accessible and universal design for

all users

• wayfinding and information
• sheltered seating

Phase IV Renewed

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Public Input

• What project features or design concepts do

you like or do not like?

• How would you improve the design?

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References & Credits

• Victoria Square (1999) Report
• Downtown Master Plan
• Town of Cobourg Official Plan
• Landscaping and Urban Design

Guidelines

• Parks and Recreation Master Plan
• Design and construction drawings for

Second Street, Albert Street and Waterfront Park

• Downtown Vitalization Action Plan
• Heritage Master Plan and Background

Report

• Commercial Core Conservation Area

District Plan

• Photos are property of contributing photographers.

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Our story …let’s begin!

For information … contact Victoria Square Phase IV Committee Secretary, Town of Cobourg at 905.372.4301

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