digdoi
09-05-2006, 15:50
WEBSITE (http://www.city.stratford.on.ca/marketsquare/competition.asp)
Stratford’s Market Square is an historically significant and physically intact, legible, urban space that is presently underutilized. Located adjacent to City Hall, it is a distinctive form -a trilateral space- produced by three historic trade routes and the intersection of three 18th and 19th century survey grids. Defined on all edges by continuous, heritage, main street façades, Market Square is a prominent part of Stratford’s downtown heritage conservation district. For further history on Market Square and Stratford City Hall, see Appendix 3.
Recently, renewed interest in the future of Market Square arose after a Transit Study (2002) recommended the location of a permanent transit terminal in Market Square. The proposal recommended a concrete pad and covered structure situated in the middle of the square in order to provide convenient, safe and sheltered transfers from buses. Because of the far reaching impact such a decision would have on the downtown core, the Stratford City Centre Committee requested a deferral on any action based on the recommendation in order to obtain professional urban design and planning guidance, as well as public input.
The potential of Market Square as a public space is also stated in Stratford’s Official Plan which states: “efforts will be made to protect and preserve the distinctive architectural character of Market Square and to create a more people friendly environment as well as a public gathering place for civic events and activities.”
Because the Square had been identified in previous studies as a beautification priority and a potential ‘people-place’, and mindful of an earlier City Centre Committee plan to renew the Square, the Development Sub-Committee (of the City Centre Committee) felt it was important to respond to the transit study recommendation. Their ambition was to solicit public input and to develop the community's vision for the Square in a way that would lead to a broad-based plan. One of its first actions early in 2003 was to prepare and compile a survey of 320 residents and visitors about Market Square. Two visioning sessions followed and were held on February 8, 2003 and May 31, 2003.
These sessions and the survey produced a consensus regarding the importance of the Square and that any proposal for the Square required much broader public input. With City Council endorsement, a public open house event was hosted on September 29, 2004 by the City Centre Committee and was facilitated by Dan Leeming and Rick Merrill, partners of The Planning Partnership. Over 350 citizens, business owners, downtown residents and employees participated in the event.
A great deal of information and feedback has been received from stakeholders, residents, visitors and downtown merchants through the research survey, two visioning sessions and public open house.
The consensus of the participants from all of these forums is that Market Square has the potential to become the dynamic public heart of the city — the focal point, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of City Hall and to linger, interact and attend organized gatherings in the downtown core.
Market Square is “OUR” space – it is a space for the people of Stratford. As an urban space it contrasts with naturalized green spaces associated with the City’s park system. There is a strong feeling that the space is meant to complement the historical siting of City Hall.
From the various exercises, these common themes and points emerged:
>Dissatisfaction with the current use of the square
>Should be designed as civic space
>Preference for a flexible space that can accommodate diverse activities such as civic gatherings, as well as informal opportunities to linger
>Integration of trees and softening the space
>Dislike of existing parking configuration, however indication that some parking is needed nearby
>Strong dislike for current Bus Transfer arrangement, with many indicating a desire to see no buses in the Square; however, a small number of comments and model designs demonstrated transit presence
>Opportunities to linger in the space with seating/benches being a strongly desired element
>City Hall, Allen's Alley and historic buildings are important features of our downtown area
>A preference for open air market activities and the chip wagon
>Pedestrian safety is an important concern, as is the need for increased washroom accessibility
Interested parties should download the following competition guidelines and registration form, and then send the completed form, with the $50 registration fee made out to Stratford City Centre Committee, by mail to:
Chair, Market Square Advisory Committee
Tourism, Stratford
47 Downie Street
Stratford, Ontario N5A 1W7
Email: design@stratfordcitycentre.ca
Fax: (519) 273-1818
Important dates:
Entrant Registration Closing Date: 3:00 pm EDST, Friday, July 7th, 2006
Final Date for Questions and Clarification of Details: 3:00 pm EDST, Friday, September 1st, 2006
Deadline for Submission of Competition Designs: 3:00 pm EDST, Friday, September 8th, 2006
Stratford’s Market Square is an historically significant and physically intact, legible, urban space that is presently underutilized. Located adjacent to City Hall, it is a distinctive form -a trilateral space- produced by three historic trade routes and the intersection of three 18th and 19th century survey grids. Defined on all edges by continuous, heritage, main street façades, Market Square is a prominent part of Stratford’s downtown heritage conservation district. For further history on Market Square and Stratford City Hall, see Appendix 3.
Recently, renewed interest in the future of Market Square arose after a Transit Study (2002) recommended the location of a permanent transit terminal in Market Square. The proposal recommended a concrete pad and covered structure situated in the middle of the square in order to provide convenient, safe and sheltered transfers from buses. Because of the far reaching impact such a decision would have on the downtown core, the Stratford City Centre Committee requested a deferral on any action based on the recommendation in order to obtain professional urban design and planning guidance, as well as public input.
The potential of Market Square as a public space is also stated in Stratford’s Official Plan which states: “efforts will be made to protect and preserve the distinctive architectural character of Market Square and to create a more people friendly environment as well as a public gathering place for civic events and activities.”
Because the Square had been identified in previous studies as a beautification priority and a potential ‘people-place’, and mindful of an earlier City Centre Committee plan to renew the Square, the Development Sub-Committee (of the City Centre Committee) felt it was important to respond to the transit study recommendation. Their ambition was to solicit public input and to develop the community's vision for the Square in a way that would lead to a broad-based plan. One of its first actions early in 2003 was to prepare and compile a survey of 320 residents and visitors about Market Square. Two visioning sessions followed and were held on February 8, 2003 and May 31, 2003.
These sessions and the survey produced a consensus regarding the importance of the Square and that any proposal for the Square required much broader public input. With City Council endorsement, a public open house event was hosted on September 29, 2004 by the City Centre Committee and was facilitated by Dan Leeming and Rick Merrill, partners of The Planning Partnership. Over 350 citizens, business owners, downtown residents and employees participated in the event.
A great deal of information and feedback has been received from stakeholders, residents, visitors and downtown merchants through the research survey, two visioning sessions and public open house.
The consensus of the participants from all of these forums is that Market Square has the potential to become the dynamic public heart of the city — the focal point, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of City Hall and to linger, interact and attend organized gatherings in the downtown core.
Market Square is “OUR” space – it is a space for the people of Stratford. As an urban space it contrasts with naturalized green spaces associated with the City’s park system. There is a strong feeling that the space is meant to complement the historical siting of City Hall.
From the various exercises, these common themes and points emerged:
>Dissatisfaction with the current use of the square
>Should be designed as civic space
>Preference for a flexible space that can accommodate diverse activities such as civic gatherings, as well as informal opportunities to linger
>Integration of trees and softening the space
>Dislike of existing parking configuration, however indication that some parking is needed nearby
>Strong dislike for current Bus Transfer arrangement, with many indicating a desire to see no buses in the Square; however, a small number of comments and model designs demonstrated transit presence
>Opportunities to linger in the space with seating/benches being a strongly desired element
>City Hall, Allen's Alley and historic buildings are important features of our downtown area
>A preference for open air market activities and the chip wagon
>Pedestrian safety is an important concern, as is the need for increased washroom accessibility
Interested parties should download the following competition guidelines and registration form, and then send the completed form, with the $50 registration fee made out to Stratford City Centre Committee, by mail to:
Chair, Market Square Advisory Committee
Tourism, Stratford
47 Downie Street
Stratford, Ontario N5A 1W7
Email: design@stratfordcitycentre.ca
Fax: (519) 273-1818
Important dates:
Entrant Registration Closing Date: 3:00 pm EDST, Friday, July 7th, 2006
Final Date for Questions and Clarification of Details: 3:00 pm EDST, Friday, September 1st, 2006
Deadline for Submission of Competition Designs: 3:00 pm EDST, Friday, September 8th, 2006