Town Centre Stimulus Program
On June 9, 2009 the District of Sooke adopted the Sooke Town Centre Plan (STCP) prepared by Dennis Carlsen Consulting, D’Ambrosio Architecture and Urbanism, and Boulevard Transportation Group.
The District of Sooke is embarking on a new vision to transform the Sooke Town Centre and specifically the area south of Sooke Road to the waterfront. The District plans to develop a new Waterview Street (main street) that will visually and physically link the Sooke Town Centre to its beautiful harbour setting. It is envisioned that the new Waterview Street and the Church Road South extension will provide public access to the waterfront via both public and private piers, and the existing 300 meter marine boardwalk will extend from the Church Road South Extension to the Sooke Harbour Marine Resort (approximately 1,600 meters).
The new Sooke Town Centre will be mainly four storeys with commercial spaces below the residential floors that will enjoy water views of the Sooke Harbour, East Sooke and the popular nature trails of Whiffin Spit.
It is recognized that the economy is experiencing a slow down in residential and commercial development. In an effort to provide meaningful and progressive incentives and stimulus to developers in the District of Sooke, Council on June 22, 2009 adopted the Sooke Town Centre Revitalization Bylaw that will provide incentives to revitalize the Sooke Town Centre Area in an environmentally sound manner.
Maureen Enser, Executive Director of the Urban Development Institute (UDI) states “ UDI is very supportive of Sooke’s Town Centre Stimulus Program. These are the types of incentives that the industry has been requesting from local governments for sometime. They not only support job growth: they are also targeted to sustainable development practices and affordable housing. It cannot be forgotten that for every million dollars spent on construction, 15 jobs are created. This is a win-win for everybody.”
Mayor Evans states “the District of Sooke has been working hard to develop a vision that will benefit the citizens of Sooke and the many quests that visit our community. We are looking to create a vibrant Sooke Town Centre that supports our theme of “Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea” while maintaining our unique rural lifestyle. We invite the world to share in our vision and make Sooke one of finest places to live, work and play”.
If you are interested in more information on the vision of Sooke we encourage you to contact the District of Sooke.
For more information, contact:
District of Sooke
tel: (250) 642-1634
fax: (250) 642-0541