Project Title:

Port Alberni Uptown Redevelopment

Project Organization:

City of Port Alberni

Project Investment:

  • Island Coastal Economic Trust: $247,000
  • City of Port Alberni: $411,370
  • Total Budget: $658,370

Project Highlight:

The project encourages re-investment by property owners and provides attractive opportunities for new business to fill vacant store fronts.

The Uptown district of Port Alberni was suffering due to the closure of businesses, losses amongst the commercial fishing fleet and shift reductions at the mill. Many commercial buildings were showing signs of neglect with several vacant storefronts. The City of Port Alberni and the Port Alberni Port Authority undertook a Uptown and Waterfront Redevelopment Plan to revitalize the area, with 3rd Avenue identified as a priority.

The Revitalization plan for the 3rd Avenue streetscape, from Dunbar Street to Mar Street, included attractive new energy-efficient street lighting and crosswalk upgrades. Walkability and traffic flow were improved and new design elements, such as benches and street-side planters, were added.

Completed in 2010, the revitalization of the Uptown area of Port Alberni has had a visible increase in the vitality of the downtown area. There has been an increase in new businesses and an increase in pedestrian traffic and patronage by residents and visitors. The attractive environment encourages re-investment by property owners and provides attractive opportunities for new businesses to fill vacant storefronts. Port Alberni’s Uptown provides a local focus as a centre for entertainment activities and as an increasingly trendy and more “artsy” shopping district.

Island Coastal Economic Trust funded this project on 2010 through the Capital and Innovation program.