The City of Maple Ridge will bring a Halloween event downtown, as well as a night market, entertainers and sidewalk cafes as part of its Town Centre Animation Plan.
Lino Siracusa, the city’s manager of economic development, pitched the plan to council on Monday.
“The town centre is the heart of our community – this is something that other communities are striving to develop. We have a town centre which is an excellent town centre, but I think we can make it fantastic. We can go from good to great.”
More coordinated activities would “bring it to life” and make it a destination, for both local people and visitors.
He shared “placemaking” strategies used in Granville Island when he was managing there.
New festivals and events are part of the plan, and that would include Halloween fireworks, which have been held in conjunction with the Ghost Ridge haunted house at the Albion Fairgrounds and draw up to 5,000 spectators per year.
City staff proposes relocating the fireworks to Memorial Peace Park, with a lower altitude fireworks display fired from the roof of the Arts Centre Theatre, along with other family activities.
The new festival could happen as soon as this October, said Siracusa, but details of the event are still being developed by the parks department.
Coun. Gordy Robson noted that previous plans exist for converting the ACT into a haunted house.
The city is also working with the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association to operate a night market on 228th Street, beginning in 2017. A section of the street would be closed for the market.
In addition to festivals and events, the animation plan included a new program for street performers, including musicians, magicians, jugglers and human statues.
A limited number of food trucks should be allowed to operate at Memorial Peace Park and other areas, as well, according to the plan.
Parking spaces could be used for sidewalk cafes. Restaurants will be encouraged to open outdoor dining areas, while on-street parking could be converted into public seating areas.
Siracusa also suggested improved town centre gateways, directional signage, digital reader boards and ongoing town centre beautification.
Robson said he walks the downtown on a regular basis, and it looks better than last year, and there are more people walking in the area.
“The change is quite dramatic when you go through. The rats are gone, the lights are all lit, the gardens all done …” he said.
“A change of attitude has happened, and it’s really been good for our community.”
Coun. Craig Speirs agreed the area is on the upswing.
“Our commitment over a number of councils to supporting and enhancing the downtown is evident, and it’s starting to bear fruit,” Speirs added.
Budget considerations and bylaw changes will come to council in separate reports in the future, said Siracusa.