Bollards Down! Commercial Street activates with a fresh look and flexible future

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed July 24, 2025 4:04 PM

Summary

On Thursday, July 24, a ceremonial bollard drop took place, celebrating the newly upgraded section of Commercial Street (Wharf Street to Bastion Street). This renewed space is designed to be inviting, flexible, pedestrian-friendly and event ready.

Construction for Phase One of the Design Commercial: Downtown ReImagined Project began in September, 2024 and has been focused on the section of Commercial Street between Wharf Street and Chapel Street. The new design recreates the space as a multipurpose, flexible, pedestrian-focused destination. Once finished, the new space will include better lighting, new seating, flexible patio spaces, curbless sidewalks, a re-envisioned rainbow intersection and retractable bollards, ready to change the flow of traffic and activate the space for community events.

Total funding for Phase One work of the Design Commercial Project is $6.2 million, which includes $4 million from the Province of BC's Growing Communities Fund.

Final work for Phase One, which includes the remaining brickwork and tree planting, is expected to be complete in August.

Link to Strategic Plan: Improvements to the downtown core support Nanaimo's economic health by increasing pride of place and stimulating the economy.

Key Points

The Wharf Street to Bastion Street section of Commercial Street is newly upgraded and designed to be inviting, flexible, and pedestrian friendly. It is now open to traffic and event use.
Total funding for Phase One work of the Design Commercial Project is $6.2 million, which includes $4 million from the Province of BC's Growing Communities Fund.
Phase One of the Design Commercial: Downtown ReImagined Project is expected to be complete in August.

Quotes

"The Commercial Street project represents a modern and creative approach to downtown space-making. Along with the great shops, restaurants and businesses that help make Nanaimo's downtown vibrant and exciting, this adaptable street opens up a new world of possible festivals, events and community gatherings. The future of Nanaimo's downtown is so bright that even the sun's jealous!"

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

Construction for Phase One of the Design Commercial: Downtown ReImagined Project began in September, 2024 and has been focused on the section of Commercial Street between Wharf Street and Chapel Street. The new design recreates the space as a multipurpose, flexible, pedestrian-focused destination.