CREATING A VISION FOR CORNWALL’S MAIN STREET
Town of Cornwall seeks public, business input into its proposed main street project
The Town of Cornwall is getting set to embark on a new vision for its Main Street.
The public is invited to give input at a workshop at the Cornwall Civic Centre on Tuesday, July 10 from 7-9 p.m. while business owners are being engaged in a workshop at the town hall on Tuesday from 3-5 p.m.
It’s all part of a new main street design and spatial plan to optimize the opportunity created by the realignment of the TransCanada Highway. The transition of the five-kilometre stretch of the soon-to-be former highway through the centre of the town into a “Main Street” focus is supposed to bring immense potential for new development.
The stretch of road will essentially extend from the North River bridge to Clyde River.
This plan will set out a clear path for creating a new core for Cornwall that will attract new development. Components of the spatial plan will address land use, traffic, infrastructure, public open space, signage, design guidelines, economic development and phasing.
Emphasis will be placed on developing a complete street that offers space for recreation, active transportation, transit and development.
Dean Lewis, planning and development officer with the town, said consulting firm Ekistics Plan and Design has been brought in to help.
“Unlike most municipalities we kind of have a second chance to
create a main street so we want to put some thought into it and have a main street that’s going to be functional and look good,’’ Lewis said.
He added that restricted access along the existing Trans-Canada Highway has limited development and forced undesirable traffic through residential areas.
“This is our opportunity to fix that.’’
He said the realignment project will allow the current highway to change to a main street with reduced speed limits, enhanced pedestrian safety and intersections that will allow better connectivity between the north and south portions of the town.
Cornwall is the Island’s fourthlargest community and has grown at almost twice the national rate. In 2011, the town had a population of 5,162, representing an increase of 10.4 per cent from 2006, compared to the national average of 5.9 per cent growth.
“We want to find out from
the residents what they think it should look like. One of the biggest problems we have right now . . . is pedestrian safety,’’ he said, referring to the high number of seniors and children in the town. “We want to truly link both sides of the main street. It’s going to be multi-use (with) trails, sidewalks (and) connections. We’ll have more opportunity to control traffic speed.’’
Engaging the business community is another big part of the process.
“I’m sure they’re probably more aware of the challenges than anybody. What challenges are they expecting and how can we help them deal with it?’’
The 7.8-kilometre Trans-Canada Highway bypass around Cornwall is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2019.
“We really want to encourage public and business input because, at the end of the day, this is going to define our town,’’ said Lewis.