New West residents have several ways to have a say about the plans for the future of the 22nd Street SkyTrain neighbourhood.
The City of New Westminster’s is inviting community members to share their thoughts on the future of the neighbourhood by completing an online survey, which is now available online. They’re also invited to participate in an online discussion forum, and attend an in-person workshop at Anvil Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 11 or a virtual workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
In addition, citizens will also be able to visit with staff at multiple pop-up engagement sessions at venues around the city that are starting this week:
- Wednesday, Sept. 27: 22nd Street SkyTrain Station, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 3: Connaught Heights Park, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 5: New Westminster Farmers Market, 3 to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 17: Grimston Park, 10 a.m. to noon
- Thursday, Oct. 19: 12th Street Parklet, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 23: Century House, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 24: New Westminster Public Library, 1 to 3 p.m.
“The area around the 22nd Street SkyTrain station presents a major opportunity for the city to bring much-needed housing and leverage the existing transit infrastructure to create a more sustainable and inclusive community,” Mayor Patrick Johnstone said in a news release. “We are excited to be able to start engaging the community and bringing together Indigenous partners to create a bold vision for this neighbourhood.”
The City of New Westminster has long supported the idea of creating “a bold vision” for transforming the area around the 22nd Street SkyTrain station into a climate-friendly neighbourhood where everyone can thrive. This city believes this area has the potential to be a more vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood, with diverse housing options, a broader mix of services, and improved community amenities.
In alignment with council’s strategic priorities, the city is taking a new approach to neighbourhood planning with this project by putting a significantly greater focus on climate action and reconciliation.
“The engagement process will seek input from residents, businesses, and subject-matter experts to find creative ideas to mitigate the effects of, and adapt to, climate change,” said the news release. “The city will collaborate with local First Nations to explore ways the neighbourhood vision can advance truth and reconciliation.”
The city will be inviting community members to participate in the “reGENERATE Ideas Challenge” that’s expected to begin in November. Stay tuned for more details on that.
