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Plan is 110W in the works to revamp downtown core By IRENE GENTLE The Champion They had a dreani. Now trees, public art, bike paths and pedestrian- friendly streets will be in Milton's future if that dreamn can be turned into a reality via the Town's newly revealed central business district (CBD) secondary plan. 'This dares to dreamn about what the Town could be like in the next 20 years," said Mel Iovio, Milton' s director of planning and development. The CBD plan is the result of fairly extensive public consultation, including three workshops and open bouses, the Town's administration and planning com- mittee was told last Monday. "People in the town are typically the experts. We ike to tap into that from day one," said Mark Conway of Dillon Consulting. "We threw everythîng at tbe people." What they came back with is an illustration of the terin the more things change, thse more they stay the sanie. "What people wanted is more of what they bave already," said Mr. Conway. "There's no magic to this.", Expect 80,000 people 'Me plan rides on the assumption that Milton will have an 80,000 strong population by 2016. That's an increase of 50,000 people over the next 20 years, which means one thing; shopping. To accommodate the anticipated spending spree, retail space in the downtown core will double, increas- ing to 2.4 million feet. As the retail sector widens, Main Street itself between Charles and Prince Streets should get smaîl- er, said Mr. Conway. The idea is to get a downtown that is filled with peo- Hey I eed ha MChuistmi mnlywlstlo Pmwww. Mit fer Downtown Christmas Shopping Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:3Oam - 8:OOpm Sat. 9:OOam - 5:OOpmn Sun. 12:OOpmn - 4:OOpm At most downtown stores pie, not cars. "We think the core area could do better by nan-ow- ing the street and slowing down the traffic," said Mr. Conway. "It's to get people on the street or in cafes." To help get theni there, the plan will convert the CPR corridor off Martin Street into a park-like walk- way, complete with bicycle paths. The idea is to pro- vide a people-friendly green space in the CBD. "We think it'll provide a central spine," said Mr. Conway. "A new central park." Thse downtown atmosphere would be helped along by the creation of a town square. While nothing is decided for sure, a vacant lot at Brown and Main Streets is pinpointed as Use likeliest spot. 'Big box' stores shunned While Uhe plan vows to protect Milton's heritage - "People need to understand where they came from," explained Mr. Conway - it isn't above applying a ittie face-paint where needed. Thse plan also rejects what it considers to be big boxy retail spaces. In its place will be a number of smalier stores, no larger Usan 2,750 square metres. "What we're realiy saying is 'no' to the big boxes," said Mr. Conway. "We want to keep Use street alive by providing a variety of retail opportniies." According to the plan, bigger isn't better when it comes to building heights. It suggests a four storey height maximum, increasing to seven at major inter- sections. The less is more strategy is also applied to parking. The plan rejecta mega-parking lots on the theory Usat they dominate Use landscape and discourage pub- ic, bike and foot traffic. "TMe developers will want as much as they can get," wamed Mr. Conway. "The Town will want as much as it needs." A final report on the CBD will go before council December 14. eIp with your as Shoppings 'My Shoppingq Iisti l»as f il fo M ser $20 ,~, , brothers or friends! Th aainChampion, Tuesday, December 8,1998 -3 :Itfs Baok *oi *it * Lowest Finance * & Lease Rates * ~of the Year on * <'~""~ NEW 1999 * Cars &ITrucks! *Cati on.of ouesinrepreentfvnor d bK * * I.. * * * * * * * iropbyfordetalls. * ~M~1* MONII SALE 'TIL MAtCH I)))9 *No pay»Metfluncing OJLC.