What’s a person have to do to get a drink in Coquitlam’s City Centre?
That is a question many residents are asking, according to a survey conducted by planning staff, which found a desire for a wider range of pubs, restaurants and entertainment options in the city’s most densely populated neighbourhood.
But there are already early signs the area is attracting new businesses, said Jim McIntyre, Coquitlam’s general manager of planning and development, and the process will likely accelerate with anticipated development and residential growth.
“I dare say it is starting to take shape,” he told The Tri-City News, later adding: “The wheel is starting to turn. It is starting to come alive. It is just the first very preliminary steps.”
The survey was conducted as part of the initial phase of public consultation for an update to the City Centre Area Plan. When the update is completed, it will guide development in the neighbourhood for the next 25 years and will focus on making it a “hub of diverse activity,” according to a staff report. The online questionnaire was held between Feb. 22 and March 12 and had 1,350 participants.
When asked what improvements residents would like to see in City Centre, 39% of respondents wanted more entertainment options while 37% sought a wider range of restaurants and bars. Another 24% of respondents said they would like to see a more pedestrian-friendly area while 22% wanted more retail shops and services.
Attracting private enterprises to the neighbourhood means making sure staff are in the loop with industry trends and aware of the businesses seeking commercial spaces, according to David Munro, Coquitlam’s manager of economic development, who said, “We play matchmaker.”
For example, through contacts the city has in the real estate community, Munro recently learned of two restaurant operators looking for locations. He said with that information, he can reach out directly to entrepreneurs and pitch them on the benefits of setting up their shop in Coquitlam.
“Relationships — that is a big thing for us,” he said.
With close proximity to the Evergreen Extension and a range of large festivals and events occurring throughout the year, there is a lot the City Centre area has to offer businesses, Munro said. He added that when restaurants and retailers start to move into an area, it can have a snowball effect, generating a hub that attracts more people and business activity.
“It builds momentum,” he said. “We have a variety of restaurants in Coquitlam’s City Centre already. You can get all types of food and it is gradually growing and growing.”
SURVEY SAYS
What improvements would you like to see in City Centre?
• Provide more entertainment options: 39%
• Offer a wider range of restaurants and bars: 37%
• Make the area more pedestrian-friendly: 24%
• Offer more retail shops and services: 22%
• Create more opportunities for family-friendly activities: 22%
• Increase opportunities for travel by walking, cycling and transit: 21%
• Provide more parking spaces: 18%
• Introduce more public gathering spaces: 18%
• Offer a wider range of housing types: 18%
• Provide more job opportunities: 15%
• Make the area more universally accessible: 7%
• Other: 11%
– source: city of Coquitlam
HAVE YOUR SAY, TOO
Coquitlam residents and community stakeholders are invited to share their input on the City Centre Area Plan update in the next phase of public consultation:
• Complete a survey at www.coquitlam.ca/ccap between May 29 and June 19.
• Attend a community information session at Coquitlam Centre mall (kiosk located in the central atrium) May 29 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or June 9 (9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.).
• Visit planning staff at Town Centre Park during the July 1 Canada Day celebrations.
• Post ideas and images on social media using the hashtag #mycitycentre.
• Sign up for email updates at www.coquitlam.ca/ccap.
@gmckennaTC
