About 50 to 60 people attended the open house “community café” session last week at the Elora Community Centre to discuss the future of the Victoria Street pedestrian bridge and proposed improvements to Mill Street West.
Stantec’s landscape architecture geographic discipline leader Tim McCormick said he was pleased with the turnout at the June 28 event.
In addition to a project recap, McCormick’s presentation included proposed bridge concepts and renderings of how the Mill Street West streetscape could look in the future.
The project is a combined effort of Stantec Consulting and BT Engineering.
Stantec’s team included McCormick, landscape architect Jeffrey Grob, project manager Lashia Jones and urban designer Michael Votruba. BT’s team included facilitator Chris Watson and Katherine Scott.
Jones said there was a lot of information to go through, including a presentation on the draft design guidelines, a long list of Victoria Street pedestrian bridge alternatives, preliminary streetscape concepts for Mill Street West … and seeking input on the proposals.
Jones summed up work completed since a meeting last May, at which consultants heard that residents wanted something relatively simple, that preserves views, does not overwhelm existing character, respects heritage, uses traditional design elements, provides visual similarity/continuity and incorporates creative elements in appropriate places.
Based on those thoughts, staff generated a number of bridge design guidelines, which Jones said focus on form, materials, public amenities, lighting, decorative elements, commemoration and environmental considerations.
West Mill Street public realm improvements
Votruba outlined three potential options for the streetscape.
Previously discussed issues included what creates great streets, street furniture, benches, plantings and providing for more active uses such as cafés or restaurants which could spill out into the street.
In addition, safety options were considered – such as making pedestrian crossings more visible.
A low-impact proposal would maintain the perpendicular parking, but incorporate new plantings and new street furniture. Telephone poles would be removed and services moved underground to reduce the impact on the street.
Votruba said a medium-impact approach would mean replacing the perpendicular parking with parallel parking which would free up more space for pedestrians.
This approach, he noted, would cost more but is more in keeping with the urban standards of nearby streets and would provide even more space for trees, benches and landscapes. While safer for pedestrians, 14 parking spaces would be lost.
A higher-impact and more costly approach would remove street parking and “create a destination street,” Votruba said.
“There would a lot more space in the boulevard – 65% for pedestrians and 34% for cars,” Votruba said, adding this would create significant space for pedestrians, but cost 23 parking spots.
He noted the higher-impact approach would create significant outdoor space for café seating and merchants and be safer for pedestrians and motorists.
Watson spoke briefly on the environmental assessment process which is being done along with the study. He stated a long list of bridge alternatives have been identified, adding the hope is the night’s meeting might shorten that list.
Watson added “if there is an alternative not carried forward that you really feel strongly about, we want to hear about it.”
Grob, who works for Stantec’s New York office, is a landscape architect, but said one of his specialities is bridge architecture and making certain they are contextually appropriate. He was asked to take a look at the project and saw major themes, including keeping it simple and respecting the heritage.
Grob stressed work begins with the existing piers within the Grand River, because that is where the superstructure of a new bridge will rest.
Grob said in viewing existing architecture in the area “it’s as plain as the nose on one’s face … it’s all about the stone … the indigenous limestone material.”
He added, “It’s about the underlying geology of this place which will guide what we do in terms of materials and aesthetics.”
Grob also looked to railing materials used on existing structures in the area. He said it is important to have lighting standards continue established lighting designs within the community.
He further advocated the incorporation of clear acrylic/glass panels as part of the railings. He provided 12 to 13 bridge style options – to compliment the three stone pylons underneath.
He noted because the bridge spans are relatively short, the superstructure of the bridge does not require the same depth, which in turn preserves more of the views along the river.
Another option, Grob stated, could include decorative arches, evoking memories of the previous trussed-bridge.
Other options included bump-out sections in the centre of the bridge which would extend beyond the bridge deck. Some options include planters in the middle of the expanse to break up space or add colour.
However, the township might also want to consider how much space would be left over if the intent was to place event tents on the bridge.
Those attending last week’s meeting then gathered at tables for a “community café workshop” to discuss various aspects of the project.
