How can we revitalize King City? Can we learn from other places who have found themselves “in the dark, before the sun comes up?”
Newcastle, Australia has a very innovative solution: empty spaces are considered as “wasted opportunities” and they have established a process to enable temporary use of them to launch new businesses and projects and to incubate new ideas; the short term users include artisans, publishers, designers, crafters.
Thanks to Jamie Smyth in our Community/Economic Development Office for making me aware of Newcastle.
Closer to home:
Peterborough has an enviable main street with many heritage buildings and it is well populated with independents. But, they too have empty storefronts. To minimize the visual impact of an empty window they are hanging quality large scale blow ups of historic photos of the downtown.
What is going to get us back into the running with a vital core?
Debbie,
SCHOMBERG TOO!
Your post on revitalizing King City reminded me that we have these challenges in Schomberg. And I know I’ve told you about my concerns about the new commercial plaza that will be built where the Laurier sales office is now at Doctor Kay Drive and Hwy 27.
I’m concerned because I fear the developer will, in what I have come to see as a common tactic, come to Council with a list of pre-signed lessee retailers and a solid architectural vision for how the plaza will look and function. And largely the plan will be approved by Council following some passionate deputations from concerned citizens like me. I believe Council is often left chasing the train after it has left the station.
I’m hearing rumours (mind you Schomberg is full of them on any number of topics!) of the developer’s agent signing a major bakery restaurant/bistro, but also there’s the “Swiss Chalet” rumour. No doubt local Schomberg residents have their personal preferences! And this is good. (But keep in mind, as an aside, that the developer will no doubt cater to the increasing transient traffic driving through Schomberg that I personally believe doesn’t benefit the village one bit, but for the low wage employment it creates.)
Whatever the case, and regardless of what ultimate businesses occupy these lands, this is the last parcel of “gateway” development into our Village. If we lose it, similar to the rest to neglect and pure incompetence over the last several decades (my opinion of course), we’ll have a very hard time stimulating meaningful tourism in Schomberg, for there literally won’t be much to come to. We’ll be just another bedroom community like so many others across York Region. The old Main Street area (where I live and house my glass studio) is, in my opinion, teetering on dissolution as the great vacuum of the Foodland Plaza, that took so much activity off of Main Street, has still largely not rematerialized after all these years. In addition, the infrastructure is literally crumbling (and they may not admit it but local businesses are hurting on Main – some have had to close).
It would be wonderful – truly wonderful – if Council would direct the developer via the Planning Department (as these plans are presumably now being solidified by the developer) to ensure that the look and function of the plaza RESPECTS and BUILDS upon Schomberg’s heritage.
But how? By applying similar tools by way of bylaw used by other municipalities (look at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Galt/Cambridge, Elora, Jordan – there are many others) and if possible, by way of architectural controls in addition to the requirements of the Schomberg Design Guidelines. The latter has been, in my opinion, highly ineffective as a tool in practice for we’ve not had a Council willing to enforce it.
I am highly encouraged – most remarkably – by what came out of the last Council meeting regarding the Kettleby 6-unit residential subdivision application. For Council to recommend, and for the developer to accept, an architectural requirement requisite to its approval is a major step forward to enhancing and building on our heritage assets and preserving our quality of life in King. Thank you. Thank you.
I’m also highly encouraged by the thoughtfulness of the developer proposing to renovate portions of the King Museum in exchange for operating its sales office within the easterly portion of the facility. Both you and Councillor Mortelliti summarize the opportunity and its challenges and risks well.
Yet — I’m concerned – very concerned – about the village cores; not just for Schomberg, but for King City and Nobleton as well: We are faced with powerful, highly organized and strategic economic agents (developers) who have multiple touch-points with which to apply pressure to seek their ends. “They” are not concerned about village core survival and enhancement.
I’ve touched on a lot of issues in the comment! But in summary I think all three villages face many of the same challenges and pressures. I’ve not even touched upon the new industrial lands on the east side of Hwy 27, but to those who have lived here a long time (a lot longer than me!) Schomberg is about to change, very much, in how it looks and how it functions. I’m afraid it will be for the worse without Councillors like you, prepared to address these gaping holes in our planning tools and management.
I’m convinced that we truly can have it all: Respectful planning that raises the water line for us all, bringing economic and quality of life benefits to all our communities.
Hi Debbie,
Thanks again for providing an opportunity to respond to various questions and issues before King Township.
Here are a few quick thoughts on revitalizing King City.
1. We’ve got to get the through traffic off of King Road or the KC core will always be simply a thoroughfare and not pedestrian-friendly destination. While not a popular topic, I believe we need a well-designed bypass that meets an interchange on 400 – a tall order for sure, and likely will take many years to see through to fruition. The question of a bypass has been debated for many years with no concrete plan in place.
2. The King City Architectural Guidelines for the Core developed three years ago need to be consistently followed. These include some very positive streetscaping ideas. Enhancing and building on the attractive attributes of present-day King City is important. i.e. heritage architecture, some green space between buildings, retaining mature trees and other attractive landscape features.
3. Careful planning and monitoring of any office and retail development on the outside of the existing community is needed. For example the plaza proposal at King Road and Dufferin. I believe there are opportunities within the core for redevelopment that can lead to attractive office and retail space in the core.
4. Including both commercial and a variety of residential units within the core is important to see revitalization that is vibrant 24/7.
Thanks again.
Bruce Craig
For years now Planning Departments across this province have been allowing new commercial development to take place while village cores have had extensive empty floor space available.
Unfortunately King Township has historically had the same treatment (the Brownsville Junction Plaza in Schomberg having decimated Main Street); and will continue with the same dilemmas …. with a minimum of two new plazas in Nobleton, and a 16 acre commercial site in King City (at Dufferin and King Road).
The argument then goes (after some time) that the village core with its wonderful heritage buildings will never come back …. and vested interests suggest that these buildings need to come down in order for the core to be vital.
The end result is a monolithic set of strip plazas and convenience stores that one can’t distinguish as being in any place in particular.
This brings me to my suggestions;
1/ protect the heritage of the buildings and the village; designation would be a plus. Kleinburg and Unionville are examples of villages where this has been done and met with great success over time.
2/ With plans the way they are and with what has been approved, revitalization will be a long term project. Do not look for the easy fix or overnight results. They just won’t happen.
3/ See if there is some way that the Township can offer financial incentive in the village core locations. My understanding of the Heritage Act, for example, gives me reason to believe that the Township could offer up to a 10% reduction in property taxes.
4/ Create an identity for King Township that encourages the use of these spaces. For example, if King were more widely recognized as prime bicycling land, then we may get retailers dealing in all things bicycle-like who may find the quaint heritage locations in the centre of town attractive and conducive to their businesses.
5/ Create a more friendly environment for shoppers and retailers alike by improving parking. On street parking (done in places like Huntsville, Port Perry, Bracebridge etc.) gives one a much cozier feeling. Currently King City and Nobleton feel like four-corner drive-through villages.
6/ Encourage the Township and the Chamber of Commerce to celebrate our village cores by holding events in them; having street parties and basically identifying these areas of areas of interest…. as opposed to what appears to be a widespread view of these areas as opportunities for rebuild.
It will not be an easy process to bring these areas back; and there is little doubt in my mind that there are very rich and powerful vested interests who have other thoughts about what may be done over time. So the final piece of advice is…… come up with a strong position that will stand the test of time and will not be subject to the ever changing political whim and whimsy.
Good luck with it.
Jeff L.
Orangeville is probably the best example of downtown revitalization that worked. They take money from Walmart and other big box stores and plow it in to downtown upgrades. This has created a beautiful, vibrant downtown filled with specialty stores on the backs of the developers. Both Kleinburg and Unionville have lost many retail shops and have had serious struggles, so even with designation, we must look at uses. Parking is vital. I hope Schomberg goes for Heritage Village designation soon, while we still have so many buildings of importance, but it will not be a cakewalk.
RADICAL IDEA! King City is a challenge because of the four corners, so why not change that configuration. Close Keele Street from King Road south to the church and divert traffic to Doctor’s Lane. You would make the closed portion between Crawford Wells and Hogan’s down to the church a beautiful area that patios could overflow into and things like farmer’s markets and art shows could be held there in the summer. Create a NEW heritage downtown. This would accomplish a few things – slow traffic on Keele Street (2) create a useful, attractive town square (3) parking opportunities as current arena parking is not utilized during the day, could now be used to encourage the retail traffic. When you look at the ownerships and a map, it could easily be accomplished.