Victoria Square Cobourg’s Celebration Project for Canada’s 150 th 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 2
Our Story … a brief history of events • 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 150 th birthday and Cobourg’s 180 th birthday. 3
Our Story … early days • 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. 4
Our Story … early days continued • 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. 5
Our Story … archive photo circa 1919 6
Our Story … arriving to today • 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. 7
Victoria Square Phases I-III • From a 1999 report, a four- phased project was initiated to redevelop the area surrounding Victoria Hall known as Victoria Square by: o establishing an important public place in the historical downtown; o encouraging year-round and flexible uses; o enhancing accessibility and enjoyment by all users; and o utilizing creative design. 8
Highlights from Victoria Square Phases I – III • water features, name pavers, unique furniture & game boards 9
Waterfront Development • 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. 10
Victoria Square Phase IV (2003) • 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 … 11
Victoria Square Phase IV (2003) 12
Victoria Square Today … but Phase IV was never completed. 13
Victoria Square … Today 14
Victoria Square … Today 15
Victoria Square … Today 16
The Possibilities • 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 … 17
The Possibilities 18
More Possibilities • Cobourg’s civic square as a platform for sharing our story and to display unique and world-class public art … 19
And more possibilities … 20
Phase IV Renewed The Council-appointed Victoria Square Phase IV Committee has renewed objectives for 2016: • updating the vision for Victoria Square to include: o community gathering places that welcome all citizens and visitors; o expanded and flexible spaces for programming; o enhanced pedestrian corridor between the waterfront and the downtown business area and adjacent neighbourhoods; o creative design, sustainability and accessibility; o protection of the heritage value of a National Historic Site; and o promotion of culture and entertainment. • preparing working drawings and cost estimates; and • completing the construction in time to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial in 2017. 21
Phase IV Renewed 2016 Project Boundary is in blue 22
Phase IV Renewed … downtown to waterfront pedestrian corridor 23
Phase IV … area renewal 24
Phase IV Renewed 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 25
Phase IV Renewed 26
Public Input • What project features or design concepts do you like or do not like? • How would you improve the design? 27
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. 28
Our story …let’s begin! For information … contact Victoria Square Phase IV Committee Secretary, Town of Cobourg at 905.372.4301 29
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