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This project is now complete and the street is open! Visit the Larch Street woonerf in person to see this wonderful living space, or check out our photo library for details.
The city's Northdale Streetscape Master Plan included a recommendation to convert Larch Street (from Balsam Street to Hickory Street) to a woonerf street. A woonerf street is a living, shared street designed to emphasize walking and cycling and to be a social space where people can meet and interact.
The Northdale Streetscape Master Plan was initiated to develop design concepts and strategies for this neighbourhood's public spaces as well as reconstruction of its city streets. The preferred designs incorporate pedestrian and cycling facilities, on-street parking where needed, more public realm landscaping space, opportunities for lighting (both street and pedestrian) and underground infrastructure upgrades. The study's direction is based on the city's vision for a vibrant neighbourhood with more attractive streets and public spaces. During the master planning process, input from the community indicated a strong preference for more active transportation options in the Northdale community.
Larch Street will integrate all users (automobiles, cyclists and pedestrians) within the same right-of-way and without boundaries separating the users. As part of the reconstruction, all underground municipal infrastructure will be replaced, including sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain and sanitary and water services up to the common property lines. Surface works will include new road structure and landscape features (planters, bike racks, posts, benches, waste receptacles, etc.)
Next steps:
Construction is expected to begin in April 2021 with completion expected by the end of August, 2021. During this time, it will be necessary to close the street to through traffic. Notice will be provided to property owners in advance of construction beginning. Pre-construction information is now available with construction details for residents, including the technical drawings.
This project is now complete and the street is open! Visit the Larch Street woonerf in person to see this wonderful living space, or check out our photo library for details.
The city's Northdale Streetscape Master Plan included a recommendation to convert Larch Street (from Balsam Street to Hickory Street) to a woonerf street. A woonerf street is a living, shared street designed to emphasize walking and cycling and to be a social space where people can meet and interact.
The Northdale Streetscape Master Plan was initiated to develop design concepts and strategies for this neighbourhood's public spaces as well as reconstruction of its city streets. The preferred designs incorporate pedestrian and cycling facilities, on-street parking where needed, more public realm landscaping space, opportunities for lighting (both street and pedestrian) and underground infrastructure upgrades. The study's direction is based on the city's vision for a vibrant neighbourhood with more attractive streets and public spaces. During the master planning process, input from the community indicated a strong preference for more active transportation options in the Northdale community.
Larch Street will integrate all users (automobiles, cyclists and pedestrians) within the same right-of-way and without boundaries separating the users. As part of the reconstruction, all underground municipal infrastructure will be replaced, including sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain and sanitary and water services up to the common property lines. Surface works will include new road structure and landscape features (planters, bike racks, posts, benches, waste receptacles, etc.)
Next steps:
Construction is expected to begin in April 2021 with completion expected by the end of August, 2021. During this time, it will be necessary to close the street to through traffic. Notice will be provided to property owners in advance of construction beginning. Pre-construction information is now available with construction details for residents, including the technical drawings.
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This is a student area, not a family in sight. You are encouraging large group gatherings, parties, trash, noise...not at all the peace and tranquility you propose. I can't believe you wouldn't have chosen a more family-friendly area.
MLSnyder
about 3 years ago
This is another example of a useless expense that serves no one, and ticks off everyone. Just like the bike lines with ... let's count them ... *0* bikes on them. We have narrower roads now, part of the ongoing war on cars, and no bikes.
The Northdale area has some HUGE issues: drugs, violence, public drunkenness, graffiti, to name a few. So now you are building yet another area for the no-goodnicks to hang out in at night.
I love the idyllic, utopian "artist's rendering" ... and if we lived in a caring, respectful society that would be lovely. But I'm not sure we do.
mitch67
about 3 years ago
What problem are you trying to solve? What are the benefits and what are the costs? Is this really a priority in time of COVID, opioid addictions, affordable housing, petty crime increases in the neighbourhoods, at risk youth, etc. etc. Should be at the bottom of the priority list!
anton gruber
about 3 years ago
What consideration has been thought of regarding dog feces? Will those Sutera inground dog waste collection units be installed throughout?
Ilovedogs
over 3 years ago
This is an absolutely wonderful and great expansion of the general goal urban policy policy of the Waterloo region and municipal governments. The idea of making a greater use of mixed space living where children, students and elderly can transport themselves with ease and then create demand for local shops that will be less burdened by car centric access barriers.
RyanTheFlynn
over 3 years ago
When will this insanity of wasting money stop on these mixed use streets! Why would I want to go to Larch street, it is mostly residential. You put bike lanes and flower pots on Albert and University and no one uses them. All it will do is make the property owners and renters more angry? What is being redeveloped? Why would I want to go there in the first place? Will it become a tourist attraction. I would like to ban bicycles as well as they might run over pedestrians (sarcasm). What a joke! Waterloo's vision for mixed use roads! It is the city vision. No its Bogonore, Henry's and Jaworksy's hallucinations. The election cannot come soon enough to throw these people out of office.
JoLogicCommonSense
over 3 years ago
Greetings..Wondering How the Living Street Concept will be beneficial during Winter and Snow Season? Would be nice to have Rental shops for Street Food Sellers so that people would come out more during Winter Season...
Thanks Mani
Namaste Debate
over 4 years ago
I am very concerns that including vehicles and parking will really take away from the community feel. It will also discourage cycling, walking and enjoying the space. Including cars and parking really just does not make sense.
RMcIntosh
over 4 years ago
Not necessary and seems like a waste of money. Have you driven around in this area? A lot of problems that should probably be addressed before using all these resources to decorate 50m of road. I fail to see anyone benefiting from this (except the owners of the properties adjacent).
northdahi
over 4 years ago
This is a terrific idea. Looking forward to seeing the finished project
This is a student area, not a family in sight. You are encouraging large group gatherings, parties, trash, noise...not at all the peace and tranquility you propose. I can't believe you wouldn't have chosen a more family-friendly area.
This is another example of a useless expense that serves no one, and ticks off everyone. Just like the bike lines with ... let's count them ... *0* bikes on them. We have narrower roads now, part of the ongoing war on cars, and no bikes.
The Northdale area has some HUGE issues: drugs, violence, public drunkenness, graffiti, to name a few. So now you are building yet another area for the no-goodnicks to hang out in at night.
I love the idyllic, utopian "artist's rendering" ... and if we lived in a caring, respectful society that would be lovely. But I'm not sure we do.
What problem are you trying to solve? What are the benefits and what are the costs? Is this really a priority in time of COVID, opioid addictions, affordable housing, petty crime increases in the neighbourhoods, at risk youth, etc. etc. Should be at the bottom of the priority list!
What consideration has been thought of regarding dog feces? Will those Sutera inground dog waste collection units be installed throughout?
This is an absolutely wonderful and great expansion of the general goal urban policy policy of the Waterloo region and municipal governments. The idea of making a greater use of mixed space living where children, students and elderly can transport themselves with ease and then create demand for local shops that will be less burdened by car centric access barriers.
When will this insanity of wasting money stop on these mixed use streets! Why would I want to go to Larch street, it is mostly residential. You put bike lanes and flower pots on Albert and University and no one uses them. All it will do is make the property owners and renters more angry? What is being redeveloped? Why would I want to go there in the first place? Will it become a tourist attraction. I would like to ban bicycles as well as they might run over pedestrians (sarcasm). What a joke! Waterloo's vision for mixed use roads! It is the city vision. No its Bogonore, Henry's and Jaworksy's hallucinations. The election cannot come soon enough to throw these people out of office.
Greetings..Wondering How the Living Street Concept will be beneficial during Winter and Snow Season?
Would be nice to have Rental shops for Street Food Sellers so that people would come out more during Winter Season...
Thanks
Mani
I am very concerns that including vehicles and parking will really take away from the community feel. It will also discourage cycling, walking and enjoying the space. Including cars and parking really just does not make sense.
Not necessary and seems like a waste of money. Have you driven around in this area? A lot of problems that should probably be addressed before using all these resources to decorate 50m of road. I fail to see anyone benefiting from this (except the owners of the properties adjacent).
This is a terrific idea. Looking forward to seeing the finished project