Public ideas sought as city begins districting process for Walkerville
The mayor is urging people to come armed with ideas, as the first phase of the city’s $5.2-million districting plan takes wing with a public workshop to imagine Walkerville as the Distillery District.
The “visioning workshop” takes place Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Walkerville Brewery, 525 Argyle Rd. Citizens are being asked how they want to see the neighbourhood evolve, what makes it a special place, and how Walkerville can become more comfortable, beautiful, welcoming and inclusive. Walkerville was chosen by council last year to be the first of many core neighbourhoods to undergo districting, an attempt to bring their unique histories to life.
Once districting is done in Walkerville, the plan is to proceed on to other neighbourhoods, such as Ford City and Sandwich, which could benefit from further enhancements — physical improvements and theme elements — that tie their themes together.
An administration report in 2018 recommended Walkerville going first because it has a head start. It has recently attracted public and private investments that has generated more visitors. And it has a rich distillery history, being founded by whisky baron Hiram Walker, and is currently the home of J.P. Wiser’s and Walkerville Brewery.
Creating a districting plan for Walkerville is a “major revitalization opportunity” and an important precedent for doing similar districting plans in other neighbourhoods, the city says.
“Districting is about highlighting and celebrating some of the areas of our city that are truly unique and unforgettable,” Mayor Drew Dilkins said in a Friday post. “With its historic backstory, charming architecture, world-renowned distillery products, walkable streets and diverse, independent shops and restaurants, it’s no wonder Walkerville is one of our city’s most beloved neighbourhoods.”
A consulting company, Brookmcilroy, hired by the city for about $100,000, will be running the workshop, which will include mapping out “I Love” and “I Wish” features, breakout visioning workshops, presentations and a wrapup discussion. This is the first public consultation, in Phase I of the three-phase process.
“We want to hear from you — the residents and businesses who are invested in Walkerville and our city at large — to learn your thoughts on our proposed Distillery District and how we can build on the strengths of this venerable neighbourhood and make it shine even brighter,” the mayor said.
The administration report from last year said it seems logical that the next neighbourhood chosen for districting should be the Wyandotte Town Centre, that commercial area just west of Walkerville that had ambitious plans for a street canopy and world marketplace theme deferred by council in 2018.
Other areas mentioned as possible districting sites include downtown’s new cultural and academic hub, Wyandotte Street West’s emerging “Asian Town,” Wyandotte Street East’s Pillette Village and Old Riverside, Ottawa Street and Erie Street’s Via Italia.