Civic Precinct Surface & City Hall Fountain Renewal

Current Activity

The City thanks all the respondents who attended the Open House (October 24) and completed the online survey (closed November 17). The comments are currently being compiled and a report will be prepared for early 2017. This information will help refine the preferred surface renewal concept plan.

Project Timeline

Spring 2018 - Spring 2019 : Construction in coordination with other major projects in the area.

2017 : Design.

2016 : Final Concept Plan for Surface Renewal Options.

October 2016 : Setting the Direction for Concept: Feedback received on the preferred draft concept options for surface renewal. Open house on October 24 and public survey.

Open house boards

What We Heard Report

Summer - Fall 2016 : Exploring Options: Developed a draft concept plan with stakeholders and project team.

Winter - Spring 2016  : City gathered information to support the function, maintenance and operation of the site.

Project Overview

City Council supported a rehabilitation project for three areas to improve the aesthetics of Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza. The City’s focus is to ensure that it can maintain the physical condition and functionality of the site to support safety and accessibility:

Replace the tile in the City Hall Plaza with a new surface to decrease the overall site maintenance costs while maintaining the look and feel of the space.

Integrate 102 A Avenue with City Hall Plaza and Churchill Square to achieve barrier-free access and improve the appearance of 102 A Avenue as a pedestrian zone.

Renew the East Garden in Churchill Square with a new, more resilient, low maintenance surface that stands up to the ongoing demands of festival and event seasons.

Rehabilitate the City Hall Fountain to ensure health and safety standards are met.

The Valley Line LRT construction presents an opportunity for rehabilitation work to be completed on the adjacent public space minimizing the impact to public during construction.

About the Civic Precinct

Edmonton’s Civic Precinct is the area encompassing Sir Winston Churchill Square, Centennial Plaza (south of the Stanley A. Milner Library) and City Hall Plaza. The Civic Precinct includes the area adjacent to 99 Street and 100 Street from 104 Avenue to 101 A Avenue.  This central public space is used year-round and serves as a venue for festivals and events, organized programs, casual activities, street vendors and public art. The space is designed to be a welcoming, vibrant, active, inclusive place for visitors of all abilities, ages, incomes and cultures.

City Hall opened in 1992 and included the City Hall Plaza and fountain. Twenty-five years later, the surface tile surrounding City Hall and the Fountain requires rehabilitation and renewal.

Sir Winston Churchill Square was selected as Edmonton’s Centennial Legacy Project, with a redesign of the park completed in 2004.

What happened to the Civic Precinct Master Plan from 2013?

• A Civic Precinct Master Plan was presented to Community Services Committee in April 2013. The Master Plan was not supported at Committee.
• The City is committed to continued development of the Civic Precinct by focusing on three priorities: programming, operations and governance structure, and renewal projects
• Governance structure and operation plans:  Coordination of operational plans among City Departments and development of new advisory committee.
• Program delivery: ensuring continued animation and vibrancy of the civic centre by balancing events and festivals with opportunities for casual use programming. Continue working with existing and new festival, events and partnerships, and continue development and execution of City-run events.
• Renewal projects:
• Continue to enhance aesthetics (unified look through consistent garbage cans, benches, bistro tables and chairs, umbrellas, and so on).
• Integration of 102A avenue,  City Hall Plaza tile replacement, and East Garden turf replacement.