Civic Core District Plan

What we heard

On December 18, 2023 the Civic Core District Plan project report that summarized resident feedback was presented to Council. Council directed Administration to procure consultant services to prepare conceptual options and site design(s) for the Civic Core District Plan area that includes community consultation results and previously identified priorities including arts and culture and arena uses.

The top three infrastructure items/civic facilities that respondents indicated they want included within the CCDP area are:

Shops and cafes with housing (51.84%)
Performing arts centre (43.41%)
Ice Arena (29.46%)

View the Civic Core District Plan staff report and media release.

Creating a plan

Map of the civic core district, with dotted red border around City Hall, the Canfor Leisure Pool, the former location of the Four Seasons Pool, Kopar Memorial Arena, the Prince George Public Library Bob Harkins branch, Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, the Two Rivers Art Gallery, the Knights Inn, and Canada Games Plaza.

The civic core district is the heart of downtown. But what is our plan for the area? Should it be a vibrant cultural and entertainment area? An activity and service hub for families and seniors? How will civic facilities and city-owned properties factor into this plan?

The Civic Core District Plan (CCDP) will be a guide that defines the vision for the municipal properties in this area of downtown. It will have strategies for how to enhance the area while also meeting needs of those who live and work in the community. And it will have a timeline. This is a long-term phased plan.

Most importantly, the CCDP will be driven by input from our citizens and businesses as well as our arts, sports, and recreation organizations.

Goals:

The project goals are to:

Strengthen the local economy.
Enhance the vibrancy of downtown.
Provide amenities to enhance the quality of life of Prince George citizens.

These goals align with Council’s strategic goals:

Grow the city.
Build a strong, resilient, and diverse economy.
Maximize the quality of life for all residents.
Ensure a safe, healthy, and clean community for all

Share your input

Survey

Public survey

The community visioning online survey is now closed. Thank you for taking the survey.

Community visioning

Community visioning session

Speak to City staff, ask questions, and share your vision for the future of the Civic Core.

Community visioning sessions are now complete. Thank you for participating!

Contact Us

Have questions? Contact us:

Email	civiccore@princegeorge.ca

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Spring/Summer 2023

Research
Timeline item 2 - complete

July 2023

Workshops with User Groups
Timeline item 3 - complete

August to September, 2023

Public Events
Timeline item 4 - complete

August 11 to September 15, 2023

Public Survey
Timeline item 5 - active

Fall 2023

Review Feedback and Next Steps

Background information

The plan area of the Civic Core District is limited to the municipal owned and operated properties surrounding City Hall, including:

Kopar Memorial Arena
Prince George Conference and Civic Centre
Canfor Leisure Pool
Prince George Public Library (Bob Harkins branch)
Two Rivers Art Gallery
Civic Plaza
Knights Inn

Major roadways

Patricia Boulevard

West of Dominion Street, Patricia Boulevard is constructed with two travel lanes and a painted bike lane in either direction. To the east, Patricia Boulevard is constructed with one travel lane in either direction, a centre two-way left turn lane, cycling lanes for both directions, and angled parking for eastbound traffic.

Dominion Street

Dominion Street is the primary transit route throughout the downtown area and is constructed with two travel-lanes in either direction, an on-street cycling lane travelling north with in-lane cycling travelling south, and 1.5-2m monolithic sidewalk on both sides.

Canada Games Way

Constructed as an aesthetic, pedestrian-friendly roadway, the design includes one travel-lane in either direction, with 1.5-2m separated sidewalks and boulevard tree plantings.
Near the Civic Centre, the roadway blends with Canada Games Plaza.

Pedestrian network

Most of the pedestrian network within the plan area consists of 1.5-2m monolithic sidewalks, except for routes along Canada Games Way and trails surrounding City Hall.

Cyclist network

It should be acknowledged that cyclists are not permitted to ride on sidewalks in Prince George and the sidewalks are also not sized to accommodate cyclists.
Cyclist routes throughout the plan area are not well-developed as only two roadways (Patricia Boulevard and Dominion Street) include a painted bicycle lane, only in one direction, and there is little connectivity to other routes.

Transit service

Transit routes run through downtown along Dominion Street, Patricia Boulevard, and 7th Avenue.
The downtown transit exchange, where multiple routes meet and passengers transfer, is located on 7th Avenue between Dominion Street and Quebec Street. The exchange features two eastbound lanes with bus parking and one westbound lane with a bus pull-out lane. To the north of the exchange are 3.5-5m monolithic sidewalks with street trees and building-side vegetation. To the south, a bus shelter is situated behind a 2m monolithic sidewalk.

Parking

There are several parking lots and parkades located in the plan area in addition to on-street parking options.
The former Four Seasons Leisure Pool site is currently being used as a temporary surface parking lot.

Landscaping in the plan area of the Civic Core District is a mixture of hardscaped plaza and landscaped areas, primarily those associated with the buildings’ surrounding.

Connaught Hill Park is the largest landscaped park near the plan area, located across Patricia Boulevard to the south. The park can be accessed by vehicle traffic from Connaught Drive and by pedestrians via a trail near Queensway Boulevard and from the blue staircase off the western section of Patricia Boulevard.

Along with efforts of community partners, the City has implemented a series of initiatives which are aligned with the current vision for the downtown area, including:

Private investment such as downtown business improvements: Hyatt Hotel development, Vida student housing, and the Parkhouse multi-family development.
Construction of a new downtown childcare centre for operation by the YMCA.
Construction of the new Canfor Leisure Pool and adjacent infrastructure and streetscape improvements.
Expanded transit service and frequency connected to the downtown transit exchange along 7th Avenue.
Expansion to the Downtown Renewable Energy System.
Main entrance improvements to the downtown public library.
Trail improvements at Connaught Hill Park.
Increased off-street parking availability.
Pedestrian improvements, including the closure of a section of George Street Road between City Hall and the Parkhouse condominiums to vehicle traffic, and closure of 6th Avenue between the Canfor Leisure Pool and the Hyatt Hotel.
Replacement and upgrades to aging infrastructure that will support continued growth.
Safety, security, and cleanliness measures.
Development of a Downtown Marketing and Placemaking Strategy.

There are several emerging priorities for downtown reinvestment associated with aging civic and community facilities, streetscape improvements, and utility infrastructure. The key City owned assets that are at, or nearing end of life underscore the need for prioritized future investment in the Civic Core District include:

Aging Kopar Memorial Arena.
Aging City owned arts and cultural buildings including the Prince George Playhouse and Studio 2880, which are currently located outside of the project area.

Developable land opportunity is available in the Civic Core District with the recent and planned demolitions creating a unique opportunity for the City to address these high priority needs of the community while aligning with the goals and vision of the Official Community Plan and guiding documents such as Smart Growth on the Ground.

The City of Prince George holds a variety of other plans and strategies that are used to guide development in the community.