Main Street Reconstruction Master Plan

Project Background

The Downtown’s importance is recognized in the Community Vision of the Town’s Official Plan, which notes that the Town will “maintain its historic downtown as a central meeting place and shopping area for the community, and adjacent rural and urban areas”. The Official Plan further states that the downtown is “the primary focal point of the community”.

In keeping with these statements, and recognizing the need to renew Main Street, staff completed a visioning exercise and established the following project considerations:

• create a distinctive downtown
• provide walkable space
• include social gathering points
• renew the streetscape and underground infrastructure
• provide adequate parking
• support redevelopment and intensification
• include hydro improvements
• improve accessibility
• provide broadband service
• ensure financial affordability, including future maintenance costs

The visioning exercise and subsequent project planning identified key challenges, including financial constraints, the need for a hydro and overall infrastructure strategy, and requirements for a plan to minimize financial and operational impacts to businesses during construction. These items highlight the importance of the creation of a Main Street Reconstruction Master Plan which will guide the implementation of the project.

Study Area

 Click the above maps for larger versions.

The purpose of the Master Plan is to provide strategic development and organization of the activities required in order to achieve the Town’s vision for the downtown. These activities will include both short-term project prioritization and implementation, as well as the creation of a framework geared toward achieving longer term goals.

There are two segments of Main Street remaining to be reconstructed:

• Ninth Line to Albert Street – a mix of single family homes and professional offices
• Albert Street to Park Drive – the main downtown area

The right-of-way along this segment length formed the focus area of the original terms of reference for the Main Street Reconstruction Steering Committee. However, benefits have been identified related to the broadening of the study area. These benefits mainly relate to supporting works that if completed prior to reconstruction of Main Street, will improve vehicular and pedestrian access, downtown business operations, local parking and facilitation of potential hydro improvements.

Contact:

Stephanie Pay
Public Works, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville ON L4A 0Z8
(905) 940-1910 ext. 2247
Stephanie.pay@townofws.ca