Public Realm Investment Program

Established in 2016, the Public Realm Investment Program enables Niagara Region to partner and support local municipalities on capital projects that provide important public enhancements across 250 kilometres of Regional roads.

The enhancement of streetscapes attracts investment and creates vibrant public spaces that sustain businesses, improve transportation and celebrate community. People enjoy well-designed places that are inclusive and accessible. Attractive and vibrant places offer a higher quality of life to residents and visitors.

The program offers funding for over 40 different enhancements in categories such as:

• Hardscaping
• Complete streets infrastructure
• Road crossing measures
• Street furniture
• Landscaping
• Community identity and wayfinding
• Environmental sustainability

Summary of funding partnerships and contributions

• 2020
  Lincoln: Landscaping enhancements, public art and tourism related installations along Ontario St. (RR18) and King St. (RR81) ($31,000)

  Install Indigenous public art, rain gardens, rest areas, elements to support active transportation (bike parking and repair station), landscaping, wayfinding, gateway and interpretative signage next to King St. (RR81) at Jordan Hollow Cultural Park ($83,000)

  Niagara Falls: Improve the spectator and public plazas at Oakes Park to support the Canada Summer Games, including a new shade structure, new picnic / seating areas, benches, accessible picnic tables, signage and landscaping ($25,000)

  Pelham: Enhance the new multi-use trail with tree planting and benches next to Rice Rd. (RR54) ($30,000)

  Funding requested to support enhancements to the Pelham Arches replacement project, including shade structures and lighting. This area is home to the Cycling Road Race venue for the Canada Summer Games. ($10,000)

  St. Catharines: Tree planting along Martindale Rd. (RR38) at Welland Vale Rd., and refurbishment of the gateway feature along Lakeshore Rd. (RR87) at Bunting Rd. with native plants species and active transportation elements ($35,000)

  Assist in the creation of a 13 for 13 cultural event for the Canada Summer Games, including public art, seating, shade structure and other elements at the corner of James and St. Paul streets ($10,000)
• 2019

  Pelham: Enhanced seating area located in front of the storm water management pond near the intersection of Port Robinson Rd. and Rice Rd. (RR54) ($30,000)

  Welland: Providing additional accessible elements at the Civic Square, and future enhancements at Hellems St. parkette at Main St. ($20,000)

  West Lincoln: Streetscape enhancements, roundabout enhancements, and a parkette at the corner of Griffin and West ($100,000); additional decorative lighting and burial of associated overhead infrastructure ($100,000)

• 2018

  Grimsby: Provided funding to assist with replacement of refuse containers on Main St. (RR81) ($5,000)

  Lincoln: Completed landscape improvements along King St. ($15,000)

  Niagara Falls: Additional Lundy's Lane streetscape enhancements, including street furniture, enhanced bus shelters, gateway features and lighting that are under construction ($100,000)

  Welland: Planned enhancements of the Welland Civic Square, specifically in regards to enhancing the direct interface of the Civic Square with the streetscape condition along East Main St. (RR27) ($30,000)

  West Lincoln: Assisted with the design and construction of the Smithville parkette at the corner of St. Catharines and Brock streets. The parkette is under construction and expected to be completed in 2020. ($100,000)

• 2017

  Pelham: Enhanced seating area in front of the storm water management pond near the intersection of RR20 and RR54, pending construction ($12,000)

  St. Catharines: Enhanced the new parkette at the intersections of Niagara and Geneva streets (RR46 and RR48). The parkette will feature paving treatments, landscaping, seating, public art and lighting. The parkette is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2020. ($100,000)

  Welland: Assisted with the construction of the multi-use path along Prince Charles Dr. (RR54) and contributed to the installation of new trees, benches, garbage containers and wayfinding ($100,000)

  West Lincoln: Provided banner arms and basket arms along Griffin St. West, replaced the season’s greetings sign and heritage mural at the Murgatroyd Building seating areas, installed a new wayfinding sign and seating enhancements to the landscaping of the new public parking area along West St. ($38,000)

• 2016

  Fort Erie: Provided funding to assist with the installation of two transit shelters in close proximity to the Central Ave. and Jarvis St. intersection ($17,000)

  Grimsby: Replaced trees in the downtown and installed irrigated pits to encourage growth ($22,000)

  Lincoln: Completed streetscape enhancements (landscape and seating areas) along King and Main streets ($60,000)

  Niagara Falls: Completed streetscape enhancements, including benches, other site furniture and utility box wraps along Lundy’s Lane ($29,310)

  Welland: Completed the canoe public art piece and historical bell relocation at Civic Square and completed enhancements to the street interface at the Welland Farmer's Market ($69,190)

  West Lincoln: Completed streetscape improvements along Griffin St. North in downtown Smithville, including decorative paving, tree planting and site furniture ($42,500)