Belmont Plaza - Engagement Results

Project Update, October 4, 2022: Thank you to everyone who participated in the July 2022 engagement around changes to the Belmont Plaza. The project team is pleased to share the What We Heard Report, which outlines the engagement activities and key themes of feedback from participants.

Key engagement activities included:

• On-site engagement with the community
• On-site project promotion during Uptown Live
• Door-to-door visits to neighbouring businesses
• Email and phone outreach to key stakeholders
• Two pop-up engagement events at the plaza
• Two in-person co-design workshops

In addition to hearing community feedback and ideas for the future permanent plaza, we conducted a study of how the space is currently being used and the experiences of people who currently use Belmont Parklet. Click here to review the findings of the Public Life Study.

Key Takeaways

Through our various engagement activities this summer, we heard a lot of community excitement about plans for an expanded and improved public plaza on Belmont Street. However, some key concerns about the existing space were also confirmed through these conversations. These include smoking, sidewalk gatherings (i.e. creating an obstacle for people walking by), loud motorcycles, litter, the misuse of adjacent parking stalls, street closures and noise levels at nighttime. We also heard a number of inquiries about how changes to the street would impact access for emergency vehicles. We have since confirmed with New Westminster Fire & Rescue Services that the proposed street changes can be accommodated without impacting access or safety.

The project team recognizes that design of the plaza can help address some of these challenges, but the engagement findings have highlighted the need for collaboration with maintenance staff, by-law enforcement, and community champions to create a comfortable space for everyone. We are working with multiple city departments to consider how plaza management – and community stewardship of the plaza – may work in conjunction with the future plaza design.

Meanwhile, we heard from community members this summer that the following features are priorities for a refreshed parklet until the permanent plaza is constructed in 2024:

• More seating (including flexible / movable seating)
• Shade / weather protection
• Additional greenery
• Ensuring a welcoming environment
• Events and activations such as music, food trucks, etc.
• Ongoing maintenance and upkeep

Community input will be incorporated as the project team plans for a refresh of the parklet in spring 2023.