*Update January 21, 2022
Public Engagement Summary Released!
Thank you again for everyone who shared their comments about the early design concepts for The Hub - Public Space and Transit Improvements at Terminal and Commercial. The concepts were developed to set the tone for experiencing our downtown with new plaza and park spaces, improved cycle and pedestrian connections, and streetscape upgrades in the heart of our city.
This fall, we engaged with the community including key stakeholders and the public to understand community perspectives about the project. We received nearly 1,000 survey responses, welcomed about 180 people at the outdoor public event on Saturday, September 25, and heard lots of great comments during our online stakeholder meeting.
The Public Engagement Summary is now available and provides the highlights about what we heard, information about the engagement process, and a detailed summary of survey responses. Input will be used to inform the next steps in the process which includes further design development and Council consideration.
If you have any questions about the summary, please do not hesitate to contact us at thehub@nanaimo.ca.
Terminal Avenue Upgrades
Terminal Avenue is an important gateway to Nanaimo’s downtown core. Over a number of years, community consultation efforts have consistently highlighted the need for redevelopment along Terminal Avenue. Building off the “Terminal-Nicol Re-imagined” document, a grass roots effort to develop a planning document to push forward the redevelopment of Terminal Avenue, the City is taking steps to create a cohesive vision for a vibrant, thriving downtown Nanaimo.
Terminal Nicol Re-imagined - Esplanade to Comox Road
Phase 1 - Esplanade to Commercial Street
The City of Nanaimo's capital planning and budgeting process has identified Esplanade to Commercial Street as Phase 1 of the overall project with construction tentatively scheduled for mid-2022. In addition to required utility upgrades, this phase will seek to accomplish an enhanced pedestrian experience, improve crossing facilities at Commercial Street, Gordon Street and Esplanade and resurface the vehicle lanes.
Terminal Avenue 1960's
Proposed Terminal Avenue Upgrades
500 Block of Terminal Avenue - Public Realm and Transit Improvements
The 500 Block of Terminal Avenue has been identified as a priority area for revitalization. In addition, the intersection at Wallace, Victoria, Albert and Commercial was the number one priority in the Downtown Mobility Hub Engagement Process.
Victoria Crescent 1955
500 Block of Terminal 2021
Various
efforts over the last fifteen years have indicated the desire of a downtown
transit exchange. In addition to the aforementioned Terminal-Nicol document,
the 2014 Nanaimo Transportation Master Plan (2014) identified moving the downtown
transit exchange from Prideaux Street to the Assembly Wharf, which is the current
location of the temporary transit exchange.
The
Port Drive Waterfront Master Plan (2015-2018) identified Front Street as the
preferred location for the exchange while the Downtown Mobility Hub Engagement
process elicited feedback on the Front Street exchange. Priorities for the
transit exchange from Phase 2 of that engagement process are found in the
figure below:

Building off that feedback, the City is currently developing a consultation program for concept proposed downtown transit exchange location on the 500 Block of Terminal Avenue.