Union Street Residents Look to the Future
Fredericton (June 22, 2007) - Residents of the Union Street corridor were invited to comment on the future of their neighbourhood during a Public Meeting held by the City of Fredericton Development Services Department June 21.
The City is in the process of updating its Union Street Secondary Plan, a component of the Capital City Municipal Plan which will guide development in the city in the coming years. The meeting was called to allow residents as well as business and property owners an opportunity to provide input into the process.
"The Union Street Secondary Plan was originally formulated in 1994 but with the pending construction of the Westmorland Street Bridge ramp and pressure for higher residential density between Union Street and the Saint John River the area needs a new vision," said Deputy Mayor Scott McConaghy, co-chair of the Union Street Secondary Plan Committee.
As part of the process, a resident and non-resident survey was conducted in September 2006. The results of the survey show 23 per cent have lived in the neighbourhood for less than two years while 18 per cent had been residents for more than 30 years. Slightly more than half of the respondents live in single, detached houses while a quarter live in apartments. Eighty per cent said access to the City trail system was their favourite neighbourhood feature. Good neighbours was second. The survey also asked what residents liked the least about their neighbourhood and it was evenly split between traffic volume and noise, unsightly premises, drugs and crime.
Most residents said single-family homes, local businesses and affordable housing are the top three types of development they would prefer to see in their neighbourhood. Ninety per cent agreed that historic homes should be protected. Asked to comment on how they see their neighbourhood, 22 per cent said they thought their community was a visually attractive place to live. Fifty-five per cent said they don't feel their neighbourhood is improving.
Non-resident property owners and business owners also participated in the survey. More than 40 per cent felt that the commercial section of Union Street was somewhat unattractive with 25 per cent saying it was very unattractive. Landscaping was the number one improvement needed. Traffic volumes, unsafe street access, lack of traffic lights and crosswalks were singled out as the top problems business and property owners identified. Almost half said their own properties were in excellent condition and two thirds said they were not planning any renovations, repairs or construction in the next two to five years.
Fifty per cent of all respondents said they preferred to see mixed residential and commercial development between St.Mary's and Clark streets. Almost half would like to see a marina developed on the waterfront followed by townhouses and no new development.
Those attending last night's meeting were asked to send any comments to the City via email, regular mail or by phone. Their comments will be considered in a new draft of the Union Street Secondary Plan over the summer. A second public meeting will be held next fall to obtain additional public comment.
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Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton, 506-460-2227.
