COMMUNITY

from New Westminster Record February 10 2022

Have your say on changes to uptown roads

TheresaMcManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

NewWest residents are invited to share their thoughts about some of the big changes coming to uptown roads.

The City of New Westminster is launching a second round of public engagement for the Uptown Active Transportation Improvement projects, with input being used to help refine the designs as the project moves towards construction in the summer and fall of 2022. The project team is seeking feedback on the recommended designs for the Rotary Crosstown Greenway upgrades and the NewWestminster Secondary School cycling connector.

“The City of NewWestminster is committed to creating accessible active transportation infrastructure that allows individuals of all ages and abilities to move around our community safely whether they cycle, walk or roll,” Mayor Jonathan Cote said in a news release. “This isn’t just about adding more bike lanes, but ensuring sidewalks are accessible for individuals with mobility issues, comfortable and safe to use, and include trees, greenery and seating that will make for a better user experience.”

Community members can attend a pop-up event at Royal City Centre on Wednesday, Feb. 16 from 2 to 6 p.m.

In addition, people can provide feedback, until Feb. 22, via a survey at www.beheardnewwest.ca. The city estimates the survey should take a total of about 25 minutes to complete – 15 minutes for the Rotary Crosstown Greenway section and 10 minutes for the NWSS cycling connector questions, but people choose to answer just one section.

A city news release states the project team developed the recommended designs based on public input during the fall 2021 engagement process, as well a comprehensive technical analysis.

“We received lots of great feedback and input from the community during the first round of public engagement, including participants’ top priorities for these projects, as well as their preferred design option for the Rotary Crosstown Greenway improvements and routing option for the NWSS cycling connector,” said Coun. Patrick Johnstone, chair of the city’s facilities, infrastructure and public realm advisory committee. “I encourage everyone to participate in the next phase of engagement, where we will further refine the concept and seek input on key design features.”

WHAT’S PLANNED

In January, city council endorsed the preferred options for the Rotary Crosstown Greenway upgrade (between Fifth and Eighth streets) that includes construction of protected bicycle lanes and streetscape enhancements such as street trees and landscaping. Parking would be retained on only one side of the street, but some loading zones may be preserved on both sides of the street for improved accessibility.

For the NWSS connector on Sixth Street, the city is proposing bicycle lanes that are physically protected from vehicles, new bus stop designs, changes to intersections, curb extensions and additional safety measures.This project is taking place on Sixth Street, between Seventh Avenue and the crosswalk at the entrance to the new NWSS.

A staff report said the design of the NWSS cycling connector will provide uni-directional protected bicycle lanes along Sixth Street (a bike lane on each side of the street

in the same direction as motorized traffic), with parking/loading prohibited on one side of the street. While this option provides the most direct route and received the highest level of support among people involved in the first round of public engagement, staff noted it will have the biggest impact on transit, traffic and businesses of all the options considered.

In addition to approving the options for the two projects, council also directed staff to implement an interim NWSS cycling connector along Sixth Street that uses high-quality, lower-cost materials to test the feasibility and evaluate impacts of the routing option on transit and traffic operations.

According to the report, a $450,000 budget for engagement and design work on the projects and a $2.5-million budget for construction are included in the city’s 2020 to 2024 financial plan.The interim NWSS cycling connection is projected to cost about $200,000.

“These projects take direction from the vision set in the council-approved Uptown StreetscapeVision, to create ‘a vibrant commercial district with a distinct identity, accessible and sustainable transportation, and inviting and engaging public spaces that are welcoming to all people,” said the staff report. “Additional goals include enhancing the public realm and tree canopy, seeking opportunities for green infrastructure, and reducing the impacts of motor vehicles and through traffic in this neighbourhood, while limiting the impacts to people who rely on on-street parking and loading.”

To learn more about these projects and to provide input, visit www. beheardnewwest.ca/ uptowncycling.

GETTING AROUND: Pictured above is a rendering of some of the changes proposed for the Rotary Crosstown Greenway. The city is looking for feedback on proposed design changes for two uptown streets. PHOTO CITY OF NEW WESTMINSTER

This isn’t just about adding bike lanes

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New West marks Black History Month

Theresa McManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

Art, entertainment and education are among the offerings in New West for Black History Month.

The City of NewWestminster has proclaimed February as Black History Month.This year’s theme is February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.

Last year, Rachel Matembe, a member of the city’s multiculturalism advisory committee, requested that the committee take a more active role in recognizing and promoting Black History Month. City council approved a recommendation from the committee directing staff to create a working group to explore various ways to recognize and promote Black History Month.

Here’s some of what’s being planned for this year:

NWSS STUDENT ART

Celebrating Black History in CanadaThrough Tessellation and Portraiture will run from Feb. 2 to June 19 at the New Westminster Museum in Anvil Centre. Community members can book their free, timed entry to view the exhibition online at booking.nwmuseumar chive.ca or call 604-5274640.

“Moved by a push for greater social justice, NWSS art students researched prominent figures from Black history in Canada and share their contributions in black and white tessellation patterns and portraits,” said a statement about the exhibition.

YOUTH CONNECTIONS

Throughout the month, the city’s youth services department will be connecting with youth about Black History Month through social media, its website (newwestyouth. ca) and drop-in programs. Profiles of staff and influential Canadians, activities, discussion, and information sharing are among the month’s offerings.

THURSDAYTUNES

OnThursday, Feb. 17, community members are invited to drop by Sapperton Plaza from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for Thursday Tunes featuring local musicians. It runs rain or shine, so people are advised to dress for the weather. Bring your own chair or blanket.

It features Sam Chimes, an Afro-Canadian jazzy hip hop music artist. He is an international street performer, producer and DJ.

MONDAY MOVIE

This month’s Last Monday at the Movies features The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Presented by the Arts Council of New Westminster, it take places on Monday, Feb. 28 at the Anvil Centre Theatre (doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film begins at 7 p.m.).

“The plot centers around the efforts of a young black man to reclaim his childhood home, a now-expensiveVictorian house,” said a notice about the event.

Tickets are $9 and can be purchased in advance at www.ticketsnw.ca.Tickets (cash only) are available at the door.

READING LIST

The NewWestminster Public Library has prepared some Black History Month reading lists for adults and children who would like to educate themselves or their family on topics about Black history and conversations about race. See www. newwestcity.ca.

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