Nelson check-in, 2016

Nelson, B.C., is upgrading its infrastructure and making its historic downtown more appealing than ever

by Marie Milner — May 18, 2016

Deb Kozak was elected mayor of Nelson, B.C., in November 2014. — Photo courtesy Deb Kozak

When our own internal systems don’t work properly, life becomes exciting—but not in a good way. Preventing that particular drama takes some effort, including a regimen of healthy consumption, exercise, hygiene and, sometimes, professional help. The same basic logic applies to infrastructure maintenance in a city.

The administration of Nelson, B.C., is at the 10-year point in its 25-year plan for upgrades to the city’s water and sewer infrastructure. Adding some discretionary above-ground improvements once the underground work is completed is providing merchants, residents and visitors with some visible benefits to offset the difficulties caused by disruption of the downtown streets.

The replacement of the city’s old, leaky, galvanized underground pipes will be completed this year, and one of the major benefits is already obvious: there’s been a decrease in water consumption because of greater efficiency and less leakage.

“The people of Nelson are on board with deliberately reducing their water consumption year round, which is an important component as well,” said Deb Kozak, mayor of Nelson.

In 2015, Phase 1 of the Hall Street renewal combined water and sewer upgrades with improvements along that steep corridor to make it easier to navigate and access the waterfront. The design of the upper end of the corridor now allows it to be used for everyday parking and also to be adapted for use as a public gathering place for special events.

“We hired consultants to help us with the overall plan for the renewal of our downtown,” said Kozak. “It’s important to respect our heritage buildings, and we’re looking at appropriate lighting upgrades and possible design guidelines for sidewalk cafés.”

The City of Nelson has applied for funding for Phase 2 of the Hall Street upgrade, to extend the improvements all the way to the waterfront.

“One of the best benefits of the upgrade will be mitigation of the flooding that often happens at the bottom of Hall Street in the springtime,” Kozak said. “We’d also like to enhance the appearance of the area, as appropriate for the access to the waterfront. The challenge for Phase 2 will be to reroute traffic from where the highway intersects with the bottom of Hall Street.”

Another project being considered is the enhancement of Nelson’s Railtown, the industrial area at the west end of Baker Street. The Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce recently moved its office to the renovated Canadian Pacific Railway station in Railtown, and since that relocation community representatives have done some intensive planning to formulate a design for enhancement of the area. The plan includes combined work, living and commercial spaces.

“It’s a sweet little neighbourhood, actually, with its own character,” said Kozak. “We’ll need investment in the area, and the changes and development will take time.”

The time is available for free, and the investments will surely happen if the vision is compelling enough.