The City of White Rock is acquiring the property at 1510 Johnston Road through the expropriation process, as approved by Council earlier today at a closed meeting and later noted during tonight’s Regular Council Meeting.
In 2011, residents, stakeholders, and the City came together to create a vision for a walkable, vibrant and amenity-rich Town Centre in White Rock. Based on community input, stakeholder engagement, and a three-day Design Charette (design workshop) a vision was created for the bustling heart of the City by the Sea through the Town Centre Urban Design Plan, which includes a network of public parks and plazas, open spaces and a Town Square for gathering and creating a pleasant, ‘main street’ environment.
To fulfill objectives set out by the Town Centre Urban Design Plan, and in alignment with policies in the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP) that call for the creation of a Town Square at Johnston Road and Russell Avenue, White Rock is moving forward with the expropriation of land at 1510 Johnston Road in White Rock’s Town Centre.
“We are proud to be delivering on the community’s vision for public open spaces in the Town Centre”, said Mayor Wayne Baldwin, “the acquisition of this property is an investment which will benefit generations to come. This is the first step towards providing White Rock with a publicly owned, pedestrian-friendly Town Square in the Town Centre.”
As the key public space in the heart of the Town Centre, and which directly adjoins the Johnston Road cultural corridor, the Town Square will be designed to be a true community gathering place. Once complete, the Square will include an accessible and level ‘programmable’ area that includes tables and chairs, shade trees, and other pedestrian-friendly features (such as public art), and the Square will become the place where friends gather for coffee, lunch, or to catch a special event or festival celebrating White Rock’s vibrant arts and culture!
Quick Facts:
- Town Centre projects that are currently underway as per Section 9.0 Town Centre and Town Centre Development Permit Area as per the City of White Rock’s new OCP:
- Work in Progress: Miramar Plaza
- Work in Progress: North Bluff Gateway
- No final purchase price has been determined at this time, however, the City looks forward to providing updates as this process progresses.
Additional Resources:
Document (included photos and renderings: New Official Community Plan, Sections 9.0 and 15.0, Town Centre and the Town Centre Development Permit Area
Document (includes photos and renderings): Town Centre Urban Design Plan