Stores to Shores in Nelson

Esthetics and conveniences are being addressed as part of infrastructure upgrades in Nelson, B.C.

by Marie Milner — June 03, 2015

Hall Street in Nelson, B.C., is open for business in spite of infrastructure work that is causing traffic detours. — Photo courtesy City of Nelson

Excavated streets, ripped up sidewalks, a downtown skyline dominated by a construction crane—these are signs of a city with a plan. Nelson, B.C., is undergoing the short-term pain and inconvenience of infrastructure upgrades in order to achieve the long-term gain of improved services and a beautiful pedestrian area in the expanding heart of its downtown.

“The last upgrade to our downtown core was in the 1980s,” said Nelson’s mayor, Deb Kozak. “Now, we’re planning for the next 50 to 100 years to create ongoing benefit to the community.”

Upgrades to the city’s infrastructure have been going on for some time, and this spring saw the beginning of the first phase of a project called Stores to Shores, addressing the area along Hall Street leading to the city’s waterfront. Work on this phase began in mid-April and should be completed before Christmas.

Along with improved underground utilities, the upgrade plans include a rebuilt walkway that will link Hall Street with the entire length of Nelson’s waterfront. Hall Street itself will have new lighting, a public plaza, benches, bike parking and eventually a public washroom. The existing transfer station will be moved away from the waterfront to make space available for a park.

Stores to Shores and the new Nelson Commons project—a mixed business and residential complex that is also under construction—will be vibrant, exciting additions to the downtown.

Consultation before construction

“Whenever a development is planned, concerns are raised and people have questions,” said Kozak. “Over the past three years we consulted downtown businesses, the arts community, independent businesses, seniors, youth—the whole gamut. We also had consultants come in and draw up a waterfront master plan for us.”

Infrastructure repairs on Hall Street in Nelson, B.C.

Kozak believes that when people are invited to be engaged in the planning process, the path to completion is smoother. Informed people are better able to provide informed feedback to council and the planning department.

The Stores to Shores project might be a good reference model for other communities that are planning infrastructure changes. Kozak said that a community should be guided by its official community plan.

“Revisit that to make sure it still rings true,” she said. “If you have a good, solid footing there, then taking the pieces and putting them into action is a much easier process. That’s where planning can get exciting. Don’t forget to include your youth and your seniors as well as the businesses and working people. It’s good to create interest and excitement throughout the community; common cause brings the community together in a positive way.”

The stores and businesses are all open and in full swing during the construction, and the contractors are moving fast to get as much done as possible before summer’s peak business time. You can get information about the project at the Chamber of Commerce right on Hall Street or on the City of Nelson website. Better still, visit Nelson and check out this progressive phase in person.