"According to the new paradigm for economic development, value [of a place] is attributed to quality of life as much as or more than land, labour and capital costs." — Ken Greenberg, Walking Home: the Life and Lessons of a City Builder (cited in BC's Downtown Dynamics Workbook)
Riverfront/Waterfront Development Resources
Many communities, big and small, are putting serious resources and thought into their riverfront or waterfront developments.
With the Town of Golden's Official Community Plan (OCP) in place since 2008 and up for review in 2013, now is the perfect time to create a secondary plan centered around Golden's riverfront. (In Area A, where no Official Community Plan has been contemplated, that may be a prerequisite to any sort riverfront planning.)
To begin, it is critical to review and understand the current Town of Golden OCP and zoning bylaws and maps.
Here are some of the great public resources from other communities who have already invested in the process:
BC
With the Town of Golden's Official Community Plan (OCP) in place since 2008 and up for review in 2013, now is the perfect time to create a secondary plan centered around Golden's riverfront. (In Area A, where no Official Community Plan has been contemplated, that may be a prerequisite to any sort riverfront planning.)
To begin, it is critical to review and understand the current Town of Golden OCP and zoning bylaws and maps.
Here are some of the great public resources from other communities who have already invested in the process:
BC
- Penticton, BC: revitalization plan covering 3 lakes
- Qualicum Beach, BC: waterfront master plan
- Dynamic Downtowns Workbook: Using Heritage to Build Strong, Vibrant Downtowns - case studies of Nelson, Nanaimo and Kelowna
- Comox: eyesores
- Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, AB: developed from more than 15,000 community comments
- Port, Coastal and Riverfront Communities Development & Investment Attraction Strategy for Southern Ontario Tourism Corporation, ON
- Waterfront Toronto: With projects broken out into 6 areas, 4 statuses, and 6 types
- City of Windsor, ON: 9 individual segments
- City of Barrie, ON: updated 12 year old plan in 2012
- City of Brantford, ON: contains 10 pillars
- Urban Parks in Canada: History, Benefits, and Current Issues: presented at 2016 Canadian Parks Summit
- Nature’s Continuum: presented at 2016 Canadian Parks Summit
- City of Lewiston, ID: divided in to 7 planning areas
- Traverse City, MI: 3 alternatives; 5 recommendations
Town of Golden's & CSRD Area A's Existing Plans
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The Town of Golden completed their Official Community Plan (OCP) in 2008.
CSRD Area A is undergoing a preliminary planning process, termed a "Capacity Building Needs Assessment & Rural Development Plan." It is expected that this will be completed in November 2015. The community also has a Resort Development Strategy, funded through the BC Resort Municipality Infrastructure funding program. Town of Golden's 2008 Schedule E - Parks, Trails & Transport Map shows that many of the pedestrian infrastructure gaps are located away from the downtown core. Reiterations of the planning process will hopefully lead to optimized infrastructure capital and operating budgets. |
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Planning & Funding Resources
Municipalities and regional districts in BC have access to a number of planning and funding resources that they can implement or apply for in order to promote development that achieves certain means. Some of the implementation resources include:
Requests For Proposals (RFPs)
Many communities have issued RFPs for similar projects. Here are just a sample that are available:
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Assessment Tools
"In order to know if a program is working it is best to track indicators
showing the success (or failure) of a project. Key Indicators for Downtown Revitalization
Tracking Success of Financial Incentives
Total cost of a project (funds leveraged)
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More Communities, More Stories
CASE STUDIES I:
Small towns that are recreation or retirement destinations or adjacent to an abundance of natural assets
Bakersville/ Hayesville, North Carolina*: Two small rural communities in the mountains of North Carolina build civic infrastructure and partnerships, and boost tourism by elevating heritage and cultural assets and revitalizing downtown.
Big Stone Gap, Virginia: This town’s choice to embrace ecotourism and to support local entrepreneurs is transforming the local economy and providing residents with a sense of accomplishment and independence from the control of industry outsiders.
Brevard, North Carolina: Brevard capitalizes on the economic value of retirees, and not just as consumers. Local retirees assemble an award-winning network of “consultants,” who support new and existing businesses with expertise from an array of business backgrounds.
“Chimney Rock, North Carolina: The town spurs the creation of new businesses with a down- town makeover and the construction of a river walk to join Chimney Rock’s business district to the Rocky Broad River.”
Scotland Neck, North Carolina*: Strong mayoral leadership spurs this small town to implement new strategies for addressing old challenges. Scotland Neck helps its small businesses draw in tourists and attracts new industries that can employ the local workforce.
Webster Springs, West Virginia: A rural community creates a program to harness the town’s volunteer spirit. The Webster County Community Fund is providing grants to initiatives that enhance quality of life in Webster Springs.
In small towns, community development is economic development.
(Small Towns, Big Ideas, 2007, p. 13, 14)
Small towns that are recreation or retirement destinations or adjacent to an abundance of natural assets
Bakersville/ Hayesville, North Carolina*: Two small rural communities in the mountains of North Carolina build civic infrastructure and partnerships, and boost tourism by elevating heritage and cultural assets and revitalizing downtown.
Big Stone Gap, Virginia: This town’s choice to embrace ecotourism and to support local entrepreneurs is transforming the local economy and providing residents with a sense of accomplishment and independence from the control of industry outsiders.
Brevard, North Carolina: Brevard capitalizes on the economic value of retirees, and not just as consumers. Local retirees assemble an award-winning network of “consultants,” who support new and existing businesses with expertise from an array of business backgrounds.
“Chimney Rock, North Carolina: The town spurs the creation of new businesses with a down- town makeover and the construction of a river walk to join Chimney Rock’s business district to the Rocky Broad River.”
Scotland Neck, North Carolina*: Strong mayoral leadership spurs this small town to implement new strategies for addressing old challenges. Scotland Neck helps its small businesses draw in tourists and attracts new industries that can employ the local workforce.
Webster Springs, West Virginia: A rural community creates a program to harness the town’s volunteer spirit. The Webster County Community Fund is providing grants to initiatives that enhance quality of life in Webster Springs.
In small towns, community development is economic development.
(Small Towns, Big Ideas, 2007, p. 13, 14)
