New Public Pathway in Downtown Burlington

image of Elgin promenade

Project Update - September 2020

The planning of the fourth and final phase of the Elgin Street Promenade is underway.

This segment of the Elgin Promenade, that connects Pearl Street to Martha Street, comes with a series of challenges and site constraints including land ownership, vehicular circulation of the adjacent parking lot an underground utilities. This past year has been spent negotiating and working through these challenges in order to keep the design development of this public space moving forward.

In August this year, there was an online vote to pick your preferred design. Below is a rendering of the winning concept.

Features of this design include

Curvilinear, organic design layout of amenities and paving
open and versatile space for pop-up events
Custom seating elements specific to this layout
Large shade trees for filtered shade
Continuation of the 4m wide Promenade (matching paving, bollards, lighting to existing Phases)
Perennial and shrub plantings
Several site amenities, including seating (AODA accessible), bike racks, waste receptacles, bike repair station
Flexible concrete paving open space for passive seating, events, etc.
Shared lawn space
Unique play element space (see-saw bench, etc.)
Water fountain and water misters for warm temperature relief

This process was important to complete the final design and allow the city to continue to work with local approval agencies to acquire required permits in order for construction to start next year.

Construction Phases

The construction of this project has been divided into four phases to help minimize disruption in the downtown core.

phase information graphic

Phase 1 - Pearl Street to Elizabeth Street

Construction work for the first phase of the new pathway was completed on June 9, 2017 and included the installation of a concrete pathway, lighting, bollards and resurfacing of Parking Lot No. 1 (Pearl Street Lot). Decorative elements in this section (e.g. fencing, bike racks, benches) will be added in fall 2017.

Before	After

Phase 2 and 3

Phase 2 - Elizabeth St. to John St.

Before	After

Phase 3 - John St. to Brant St.

Before	After

Phase 4 - Martha Street to Pearl Street

Construction for this section of the pathway is currently forecasted for construction in 2021.

Art Installations

Portal

In June 2018, Portal, a sculpture by acclaimed Canadian art and design collective Studio F Minus, was installed in the new public space near Brant Street and Elgin Street. Made from two 10-foot-diameter panes of glass, each weighing approximately 725 kilograms (1,600 pounds), the sculpture casts a multicoloured reflection as sunlight bounces off the glass during the day. In the evening, lights inside the sculpture change colour and alternate between reflection and transparency.

Main Squeeze

In June 2018, Main Squeeze, a playful relief sculpture was installed on the fence that runs along the multi-use pathway between Elizabeth Street and Pearl Street. Created by Studio F Minus, the artwork captures the moment of contact between the fence and a colourful, strange material squeezing through its slats.

Past Meetings

Phases 2 and 3 - May 2017

Thank you to those who attended the public meeting on May 16 to share your feedback on the proposed concept for phase 2 (Elizabeth Street to John Street) and phase 3 (John Street to Brant Street) of this project.

Summary notes from meeting on May 16, 2017

Proposed location for pathway

Proposed parking

Phase 1 & Overall Project Alignment - May 2016

On Thursday, May 24, the city held an open house to share information about the new public space coming to the downtown core.

View presentation from Public Meeting No. 1