Main Street Streetscape Redevelopment - Phase II

A recently completed streetscape project in Yarmouth received praise and recognition on Friday at the 2022 National Urban Design Awards. 

Thirteen projects across Canada — each with a tremendous impact on the surrounding built environment — were selected for an Urban Design Award when the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CLSA), the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) announced the winners of the 2022 National Urban Design Awards.

Fathom Studio of Dartmouth was the recipient of the "Small or Medium Community Urban Design Award - Award of Excellence" for their vision in developing the Yarmouth Main Street Redevelopment Phase 2 Project. The redevelopment project was focused on beautification and creating a more pedestrian-friendly and accessible downtown. The design offers a distinct coastal theme through its features, most notably the unique “lobster car” structures that offer an expression of Yarmouth's most important local industry. The project was completed in the spring of 2021.

Town of Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood sees the latest streetscape project, as well as all other recent streetscape improvements made in the downtown, as crucial in recreating the heart of this region and generating more foot traffic for downtown businesses.

“This award is exciting news for Fathom Studio and for the Town of Yarmouth. Revitalizing our downtown has been a top priority in recent years, and the team at Fathom has provided our council with wonderful creative vision to make it happen. The latest results of that vision are now on full display on Main Street, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.”

Post from Fathom Studio on Instagram:

"We are incredibly excited to be recognized by the National Urban Design Awards Program for our work on Yarmouth’s Main Street Redevelopment project. So much love and care went into this project by our team, and it means the world to us that it resonates with others.

We owe a special thank you to the Town of Yarmouth Staff and Council, and of course, the one-of-a-kind Community who came with us on the journey and supported us in taking risks to change the appearance and experience of their Main Street.

Over the last 15 years, we’ve been privileged to collaborate with the Town on many public-realm improvement projects, including their:

🏛️Downtown Blueprint
🏛️Town Rebrand
🏛️Downtown Business Façade Program
🏛️Wayfinding + Interpretive Signage Program
🏛️the 1st phase of Main Street’s redevelopment

The latest Main Street Redevelopment project is a culmination of all these efforts and a reflection of the Town’s deep commitment to great place making. Thank you again for the honour and recognition. What an incredible way to end our week."

An excerpt from the RAIC press release:

Small or Medium Community Urban Design Award 
Award of Excellence 
Yarmouth Main Street Redevelopment Phase 2 (Yarmouth, NS) 
Fathom Studio   

"This project re-imagines the relationship between people and their ‘Main Street’. The project highlights the town’s unique setting for visitors and the local community in the public realm. The region-specific design language reinforces Yarmouth’s sense of place and creates an unforgettable experience. This project brings to life the community’s needs and aspirations through clever and carefully considered design details. Yarmouth’s Main Street is an example of what other municipalities can do to instill a sense of pride within their community and attract people and business to their region and downtowns."   

Congratulations to the excellent team at Fathom Studio for receiving this very deserving award and for helping guide the Town of Yarmouth with its downtown revitalization.

To read the entirety of the National Urban Design Awards press release, please visit: https://raic.org/raic/canadian-projects-selected-2022-national-urban-design-awards

If you use Town of Yarmouth Transit, or have taken a stroll on Main Street lately, you may have noticed a new addition to the Alma Square bus shelter. A glass panel was added last week that adds protection from the elements and provides information about the latest streetscape project. The design explains what a lobster car is and how the new public art was inspired by them as a tribute to our most important local industry. On your next visit to downtown Yarmouth, be sure to stop and take a look!

View more photos in the gallery section!

Another major infrastructure project in downtown Yarmouth has been completed.

Monday, July 12th, 2021 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Another major infrastructure project in downtown Yarmouth has been completed. The final phase of the Main Street Streetscape Redevelopment project was focused on beautification and creating a more pedestrian-friendly and accessible downtown. The new features of the project, including the “lobster car” art structures, are now on full display and were celebrated this morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Alma Square.

Last fall, the Town replaced sewer and water infrastructure, installed new curbing, and put down new asphalt between Parade Street and John Street to complete phase I of the project. Bump outs were added as well to improve accessibility and convenience for pedestrians, and to slow vehicle traffic for improved safety. Phase II began in early spring with a focus on adding beauty, and to further improve the area for walking traffic.

The new streetscape offers a distinct coastal theme through its features. The most notable being unique lobster car structures that offer an expression of our most important local industry. They also bring a touch of colour and playfulness to Main Street. The lobster car is divided up into six pieces to be distributed throughout the streetscape. While the car becomes interactive public art in the streetscape, the pieces also offer practical use as a photo backdrop, or a small area of shelter for pedestrians to stop and relax in the shade. A lobster car inspired bus shelter was also added at the Alma Street bus stop.

Other highlight features include colourful “kitchen party” seating that sit upon sturdy deck timbers that resemble what might be found when walking on a local wharf. Planting beds installed feature perennial species that thrive in coastal environments and pieces of granite reflect the rock formations found at Cape Forchu. Also added were several bike racks and LED lighting.

“Today is exciting as we see another section of our downtown rejuvenated”, said Mayor Pam Mood. “Over the last several years we’ve seen so many positive changes in the downtown. Property and business owners have responded well to our façade improvement and tax rebate programs, and the infrastructure and streetscape improvements will help to improve the appeal of the downtown so those businesses can thrive from the added foot traffic.”

The completed work benefitted greatly from funding from the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). ACOA provided a $280,000 non-repayable contribution to the project through its Innovative Communities Fund.

“The success of Atlantic Canada’s tourism industry relies on attracting visitors with new opportunities,” said the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for South Shore — St. Margarets, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA. “This Main Street revitalization recognizes what makes Yarmouth unique, and highlights it for visitors and community members who work, play and shop here. We’re proud to invest in this project, and I look forward to seeing Nova Scotians and visitors alike enjoy it for years to come.”

Local business owner Ray Tynski was present for the unveiling, and offered the following words about the streetscape improvements. “On behalf of Greco pizza and Grinners group, we are thrilled with
the streetscape improvements and lobster car theme, which we feel represent this community in the true spirit of its fishing heritage. We are proud to have been in operation on main street since 1985 and we look forward to being a part of this streetscape for many decades to come"

The design work for the project was carried out by Fathom Studio of Halifax. Landscape Architect Nicholas Robins headed up much of the work and said the following. "The Town of Yarmouth continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating an inviting and distinct Main Street. Fathom Studio is honoured to help re-imagine the relationship between people and the street. The addition of site-specific Public Art reinforces Yarmouth's sense of place and commitment to creating an unforgettable visitor experience."

Yarmouth-based Garian Construction carried out the streetscape work. Brandon McNicol project managed the work and is pleased with the end result and the cooperation of all involved to get the work done.

“Again, we are proud of being part of our town’s projects and this one especially as it is so unique,” said McNicol. “We are very pleased to see this project completed in time to meet with our provinces lighter travel restrictions and the new streetscape will be a warm welcome for locals as well as visitors. We would like to thank the town’s engineering department, the business owners along Main Street, and our local team of subcontractors, as we were able to work together and get this finished efficiently without major disruptions. We hope everyone can visit downtown Yarmouth and see all the great improvements that have happened over these recent years!”

May 14th, 2021 - Please be advised that the temporary bus stop created due to construction at Alma Street and First Street will be moved back to the normal location of Alma Street and Main Street beginning Monday, May 17th.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue work on the Main Street Streetscape Design Project.

Traffic Notice: Street Closure at Collins Street and Main Street Tuesday, May 11th

As part of the continued work on the Main Street Streetscape Design Project, please be advised of the following:

➡ Sawcuts for the north and south side of Collins Street are scheduled for today with demolition beginning tomorrow (weather permitting).
➡ Collins Street will be blocked between Main Street and First Street while demolition activities are ongoing.
➡ Access to Coastal Financial Credit Union will be maintained via the wheelchair access ramp on Main Street.

We thank everyone affected for your patience and understanding as we continue work on the Streetscape upgrades.

Work on Phase II of the Streetscape Redevelopment project is set to begin after Easter Weekend

Monday, March 22nd - Yarmouth, N.S. – The second phase of a major infrastructure project in downtown Yarmouth is set to begin soon. Following the Easter long weekend, crews will begin work on phase II which will breathe new life into the same section of Main Street. The project is expected to take three months to complete.

Last fall, the Town replaced sewer and water infrastructure, installed new curbing, and put down new asphalt between Parade Street and John Street to complete phase I of the project. Phase II will see the addition of several beautification pieces, landscaping, and features that enhance accessibility and convenience for pedestrians. Sidewalk bump outs that were added last fall will be enhanced with unique “kitchen party” seating, a new bus shelter (Alma Square), trees and planting beds, bike racks, new lighting, and colorful displays of public art. The new streetscape will also provide a dedicated pedestrian clear zone with increased accessibility and the retention of on-street parking.

Garian Construction of Yarmouth was awarded the tender to complete the project last fall and is eager to get started.

“As a local contractor, we’re very proud to have been awarded this project,” said Project Manager Brandon McNicol. “We’re excited to get started and seeing these upgrades underway in our downtown. “

Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood is excited to see the second phase start, but also expressed the fact that there will be some disruptions and inconveniences at certain times during the work.

“This project has been a major undertaking and this second phase will see another area of our downtown completely rejuvenated," said Mood. "While there will be times when areas of the sidewalk will be blocked, along with other disruptions, it's short term and the results will be amazing. It's important that we continue to support our downtown businesses through this."

Regular updates and notifications on work areas, detours and disruptions from the work being carried out will be provided via the Town of Yarmouth website, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), and through local media outlets. Updates will also be delivered through “Alertable”, a new community notification system that offers instant updates through a Smartphone app, text, email, and more. It's easy, convenient and completely FREE. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/alertable.html

Aside from minor delays, replacement of the 100-year-old infrastructure below Main Street is tracking on schedule and set for completion later next month

Friday, October 23rd, 2020 - Yarmouth, N.S. – The latest Main Street Streetscape Redevelopment project is progressing well and on schedule. The first stage of the project involving the complete replacement of sewer and water lines began last month. Aberdeen Paving has carried out the excavation and replacement of the old infrastructure under Main Street, from John Street to Parade Street. Aside form minor delays dealing with unexpected obstacles during the dig, the project has gone well and on track for completion by the end of November.

Work began on September 24^th and is now just past the halfway point. Work to replace the old rock sewer was a major part of the effort and is now complete. Like the Glebe Street sewer separation project recently finished, this “green” project involved replacing the rock sewer with separate sanitary and storm sewers. Separating the storm water from the sanitary line reduces the load on the Town’s treatment plant, as clean rainwater flows directly to the harbour. This will see a significant reduction in electricity use by the plant.

The next major component is water line replacement which got underway today. Next week will see the continuation of water line work and the following week will see the start of concrete curb work. Once all underground work is completed and gravels and curbing are in place, paving will mark the completion of this first stage in the project.

Stage two will get underway next spring and involves installation of sidewalk bump outs enhanced with unique “kitchen party” seating, a new bus shelter, “green” technology planting beds, bike racks, new lighting, and the display of public art. The new streetscape will also provide a dedicated pedestrian clear zone with increased accessibility and the retention of on-street parking. The contract for next spring’s work will be tendered this fall.

###