Index
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The Changing Face of Prince George's Downtown
Council has put into motion a number of recommendations set out more than 10 years ago in the Smart Growth on the Ground Downtown Prince George Concept Plan as part of its commitment to revitalise the city centre. By prioritising the Concept Plan, Council is working towards a goal that has been discussed for many years in Prince George. And in doing so, Council is also advancing development objectives outlined in the Official Community Plan and the City of Prince George's 2016-2018 Corporate Plan.
Some upcoming developments in the downtown area include:
- A new four-phase housing development with underground parking across from City Hall.
- A grand opening of a new Marriott hotel.
- The development of another proposed hotel across the lot currently occupied by the Days Inn Hotel.
- The design and construction of a new pool to replace the Four Seasons Leisure Pool.
- The design and construction of a new front entrance for the Bob Harkins Branch of the Prince George Public Library.
- The construction of a new park next to the Wood Innovation and Design Centre.
- The completion of UNBC's new Wood Innovation Research Lab.
- A new location for the Prince George Farmers Market at 1310 - 3rd Avenue (the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Quebec Street). The site will also be the future location of a new Arts Community Centre.
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Downtown Developments
Concrete Pouring at Condo and Underground Parkade Development
After months of preparation work, the new condo and parkade development next to City Hall received its first pouring of concrete on August 23, 2018. Nearly 600 cubic metres of concrete were spread over a 1,172 square metre area on-site in the first pour of what will ultimately serve as a foundation for the new buildings.
Downtown Announcements
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[June 15, 2018] - City Pilot Project to Improve Downtown Safety and Cleanliness
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[May 11, 2018] - Foodie Friday Returns on June 22, 2018
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[April 20, 2018] - The Changing Face of Prince George's Downtown
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[April 17, 2018] - Farmers Market moves to new downtown location
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[December 18, 2017] - Enhanced City, Northern Development partnership to further stimulate downtown development
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[December 18, 2017] - Council approves downtown development and parkade
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[November 7, 2017] - Incentive program stimulates downtown development
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[October 28, 2017] - Electors vote "Yes" on replacing both Fire Hall #1 and the Four Seasons Leisure Pool
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Parkade Construction and Utility Projects
A&T Project Developments has started construction of a City-owned parkade across from the City Hall. The parkade will also serve as the foundation for a four-phase market condo development on the site.
Major utility operations have commenced to move and replace water, sanitary sewer, and storm water infrastructure. These projects will involve replacing some old water pipes.
The parkade construction and relocation of utility infrastructure required the removal of some trees at City Hall along George Street. The spruce trees were re-planted at Duchess Park while the ash trees will be used by local community organisations such as the Prince George Woodturners Guild. The City's Public Art Committee accepted applications from artists to use the trees in the creation of products that may be used for fundraising by local charities.
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Road Closures and Traffic Disruptions
As new improvements are made to the downtown area, road closures and traffic disruptions caused by construction crews and machinery may occur from time to time.
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Seventh Avenue and Dominion Street - On Monday, September 24, Dominion Street at Seventh Avenue will be reduced from four lanes to two lanes to allow crews to connect storm and sanitary sewer infrastructure at that location. The intersection will remain open. Additional traffic disruptions may occur at this location throughout the fall as operations continue.
The nearby bus stop in front of the Four Seasons Leisure Pool will be temporarily moved further south down Dominion Street to allow for the project.
Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and to follow all signage and drive cautiously when around construction crews.
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Queensway and Patricia Boulevard - Starting the night of September 20, 2018, Patricia Boulevard will be closed from the intersection with Queensway to the entrance of City Hall to allow for the installation of a new sewer system along Lower Patricia to London Street. The operation will replace ageing infrastructure and provide increased capacity for the City's growing downtown.
The City expects the closure to be in effect for several weeks and is working to maintain pedestrian access along the east side of Queensway and along Patricia Boulevard.
On Saturday, September 22, the operation will require the closure of the Patricia and Queensway intersection. This is expected to be in effect for one day.
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Temporary Closure - The intersection at 6th Avenue and George Street is temporarily closed to traffic.
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July 9 to Fall 2018 - Seventh Avenue in front of the Cenotaph at City Hall will be closed to vehicles from July 9 until Fall of this year. Foot traffic will be permitted as usual.
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April 23, 2018 - George Street between 7th Avenue and Patricia Boulevard will be permanently closed to allow for the construction of the parkade and housing development next to the City Hall.
For more information:
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Downtown Parking
The City operates a number of parkades and parking lots in the downtown area for off-street parking. On-street parking in the downtown area is limited to three hours.
For more information about the latest parking rates and other downtown parking information:
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Demolitions
The following City-owned buildings are slated to be demolished in Summer 2018:
- The old RCMP building on the corner of 10th Avenue and Brunswick Street.
- The Days Inn Hotel to make room for the Four Seasons Leisure Pool replacement.
- The Kings Inn Bible Store in preparation for the proposed new hotel.
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DEMOLISHED - The old Farmers Market building behind The Keg restaurant.
NOTE: Work associated with demolitions is expected to cause some short-term detours on adjacent roads.
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Downtown Prince George Concept Plan
Prince George's downtown area has seen many changes in recent years owing to the City's Downtown Prince George Concept Plan to renew the city core. The Plan provides a detailed vision of a sustainable and vibrant downtown that serves as a civic and cultural centre with thriving businesses and lively neighbourhoods where people come to visit, live, and invest.
Some of the improvements made include:
- New features like bike stands and bike lanes, banners and flower baskets, wayfinding kiosk signs, and Heritage Signs and accompanying Library Heritage walking tours.
- Angled parking on 5th Avenue and two-waying of 4th Avenue.
- Construction of new buildings like the Wood Innovation and Design Centre (WIDC) and the LEED RCMP Building.
- Improved landscape standards and street trees replacement.
- Events programming such as Summerfest and Coldsnap.
- Downtown Development Design Guidelines and Downtown Revitalisation Incentives Program.
- Enforcement and demolition of derelict sites.
- The biomass-based District Energy System (DES) that heats many key buildings in downtown Prince George. The DES reduces 1,900 plus tonnes of greenhouse gases per year by taking waste heat from Lakeland sawmill and transferring it through insulated piping to the downtown area.
For more information:
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Downtown Development Incentives
The City offers a number of tax and grant incentives to encourage new multi-family, mixed-use, commercial, and green construction projects in the downtown area as well as upgrades to existing developments. Some of these programs include:
- The Revitalization Tax Exemption Program
- The Northern Development Initiative Trust Community Revitalization Program
For more information:
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Additional Resources
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