New Westminster Lower Downtown Illustrative Concepts

Civic Spaces and Encapsulation Sketches November 17, 2006

Lloyd D. Lindley, ASLA Portland, Oregon

1& 2

4&5

Community Arts Centre at Plaza 88 Images are described below in order of detail. The view angles for each are shown on the Key Map on the previous page. These images are concept sketches developed to assist with understanding spatial and programmatic opportunities.

D. This view shows a sketch concept for integrating a community Arts Center into the southeast corner of Plaza 88 using the Blackie Street right-of-way. The ground floor is split by a grand stair that leads to and from the SkyTrain station on the upper deck of Plaza 88. Ground floor uses might include a coffee shop, news stand, community retail and an information center for city and New Westminster West End activities and events.

Three levels of community space are provided above the ground floor with spectacular views to the Fraser River and the grand civic plaza below.

D

In the plaza foreground is a flexible outdoor performing arts area for music and theatrical events. Behind and to the north is shown a potential 760 car parkade with approximately 20,000 square feet of retail commercial space facing Carnarvon and Begbie.

B. The community arts centre could support small performances and activities at the base of the stair. An arched gateway to the right of the stair leads to a green accessway that would support neighborhood pedestrian access to the grand plaza and the river. The green accessway could also provide access services to the Plaza 88 project and a potential public parking structure to the east.

B

C. The civic plaza could support a variety of events such as festivals, theatrical and musical performances, exhibits and educational activities. Opportunities for comfortable and convenient seating could be integrated into the plaza design. Public art could enhance the identity and character of the City. This area could potentially become the southwestern gateway to downtown New Westminster.

C

Plaza 88 to the Waterfront

A. This view shows a sketch from the upper level of Plaza 88 under the Community Arts Center at the top of the grand stair. Active retail and restaurant uses frame views of the plaza and gateway fountain.

1. This view is from the bottom of the vertical transition from the Plaza 88 upper level, through and under the Community Arts Centre and down to plaza level near Columbia Street. A large fountain would split and calm eastbound and westbound traffic on Columbia Street. The entire area including Columbia Street would look and feel like a part of the plaza.

A

1

The BC Electric building could be expanded west as part of the encapsulation enabling greater active retail space extending westward creating closure between The Keg and the encapsulation structure at the plaza level. A prominent stairway and escalator would provide vertical pedestrian transition to the upper level of the encapsulation.

This illustration also shows the integration of two LARCO towers into the BE Electric building while preserving the classic facade.

2. The upper level of the encapsulation could be covered with large iconic glass awnings to provide weather protection while preserving the outdoor character of Downtown. The upper level could feature a small plaza lined with restaurants, entertainment and retail establishments. This multilevel commercial space creates an identifiable connection from Columbia Street to a potentially new Discovery Centre and multi-use facility on the waterfront.

The upper level would provide pedestrian access to 328 residential tower units with 393 private parking spaces, 100,000 square feet of retail, entertainment and /or commercial space and 206 public parking spaces.

2

New Westminster Waterfront

3. This view shows a sketch concept of the waterfront vertical transition from the upper level of the encapsulation to the esplanade level of the greenway and marina. A grand stair with an elevator and potential escalators at the entrance to the Discovery Centre would provide a convenient way for pedestrians to move between levels without experiencing the air quality and noise of the goods movement route on Front Street.

4. A new Discovery Centre and multi-use building with visitor information and Pocket Cruise Ship terminal that could house museums, restaurants and trade show space could create an identifiable gateway to New Westminster from the Fraser River. A Pocket Cruise Ship pier would provide docking capability and could preserve the presence of the Sternwheeler. It would also potentially provide the opportunity for marina facilities on the waterfront.

5. The waterfront should be as creative at night as it is during the day.

E

4

5