Project Investment:

• Island Coastal Economic Trust: $171,268
• Applicant Equity: $485,075
• Community/Local Government: $28,732
• Total Budget: $685,075

Project Highlight:

The Sechelt Downtown Business Association (SCBA), in partnership with several organizations, have created a new website to attract more visitors to Downtown Sechelt.

The main entrance to the District of Sechelt’s downtown is Wharf Avenue, which runs along the Highway 101 Sunshine Coast corridor. It is also the gateway to the Town’s waterfront and home to bars and restaurants, boutique retail shops and a new craft brewery. Civic and business leaders have long recognized the need to improve this connection stretch linking Wharf Avenue and the downtown core. It currently lacks business frontage and greenspace, has narrow and unsafe sidewalks and unsafe parking where cars back out onto the main highway.

This streetscape improvement project aims to create a more inviting, walkable and accessible downtown with greenery and space for people to gather. It will transform an unattractive and unsafe corridor from Dolphin Street to Cowrie Street by building wider sidewalks, creating a barrier curb and gutter, separating the sidewalks and road to improve pedestrian safety, reconfiguring parking and adding in streetlights and landscaping. Enhancing the pedestrian connection with the rest of the downtown area will help create a more vibrant corridor and nightlife experience for residents and visitors. The enhancements will also serve as a catalyst for business development and expansion.

The revitalization includes a partnerships between the District, Sechelt Downtown Business Association, property owners and other organizations. This will help business owners expand and improve their buildings and invest in the area, the revitalization of adjacent areas and the development of more outdoor gathering spaces.