Downtown Revitalization
The District of Maple Ridge is immensely proud to showcase their new Town Centre Plan. This downtown revitalization initiative is a combined effort between the public and private sectors, and will result in a town centre with expanded recreational services matched with commercial opportunities.

District of Maple Ridge

Chamber of Commerce serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

Plans in Phase One include a new high-tech library and office building, an expansion and renovation of the leisure centre, and a new youth centre. These facilities will be completed by the fall of 2000. Phase Two will bring an arts centre with performing space and a hotel. In both phases, park space is a central feature and existing downtown green space will expand as a result of the development.

The town centre project is a unique public-private agreement that will see Voth Bros. Developments Ltd. and P3ITI design, build and maintain all components of the project. In this particular arrangement, the municipality will lease back the public facilities from the developer, and will share in any profits resulting from the project. In this way, the District is protected from new debt and construction risk. At the end of the 25-year lease period the District can renegotiate the leases, purchase the buildings or simply walk away. This project is an excellent example of private sector innovation meeting public sector needs.

Goals and Processes
Downtown redevelopment has been identified as a priority in Maple Ridge for several years. Significant research and public consultation has been undertaken in planning the Maple Ridge town centre. This planning and development inlcudes:

• The GVRD’s Livable Region Strategic Plan (that calls for the development of Maple Ridge as a regional town centre)
• The 1996 Maple Ridge Official Community Plan review (adopted following a series of public workshops)
• The Downtown Action Plan (adopted following considerable public input in 1998)
• The Arts and Cultural Policy and Plan (adopted by both Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Councils following public consultations in 1996)
• The 1991 Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Plan that identified the need for the public recreational facilities.
  Two public information meetings and a public hearing that have been held within the last year regarding the proposed project.
• Community groups and users continuing to be consulted regarding programming and design for the public facilities

Full-Text Maple Ridge Town Centre homepage

The Town Centre Plan Basics includes the following information:

• Financial Facts
• Maple Ridge Public Library Facts
• Leisure Centre Facts
• Youth Centre Facts
• Economic Benefits

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