Planning Underway to Phase in Downtown Improvements
April 13, 2015 – Yarmouth, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
As one of Nova Scotia’s entry points, the Town of Yarmouth has been introducing visitors to Nova Scotian culture, cuisine and hospitality for well over a century. The Town will soon be poised to offer new tourism-related opportunities to these visitors as they begin a multi-phase redevelopment project focused on creating a more attractive and welcoming downtown core. Member of Parliament Greg Kerr today announced Government of Canada support for the project.
With this redevelopment, the Town will begin to make streetscape improvements to the section of Main Street between John Street and Cliff Street. The focus is to create a more pedestrian-friendly area by introducing bike accommodation zones, benches and a variety of landscaping elements such as new lighting, trees, gravel and shrubs. The Town will roll out a fund-matching program, managed by the Yarmouth Façade Society, which will encourage property owners on Main Street in the area between King Street and Forrest Street to make improvements to their buildings. The re-development will be supported by rebranding that will result in new signage, banners, kiosks, and an identity style guide designed to promote the space.
The Government of Canada is providing the Town of Yarmouth with a $500,000 contribution, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF). The Town of Yarmouth will offer the fund-matching program, which will provide a maximum of $5,000 to property owners who agree to improve the façade of their commercial buildings in accordance with pre-approved criteria.
Quick Facts:
• Eighty percent of all non-lodging tourism spending takes place in pedestrian-friendly downtown areas (Nova Scotia Tourism Agency).
• The Town of Yarmouth funded façade improvement program will support up to 35 commercial properties.
• The Town of Yarmouth was founded in 1761.
• The North Star Cruises ferry, which provides passage from Portland to Yarmouth, will commence sailings on June 1, 2015.
Quotes:
"A vibrant downtown core with design elements that encourage the leisurely exploration of businesses and sites of historical and cultural significance will be a valuable asset for Yarmouth. Our Government’s investment in community infrastructure will build on what the downtown already has to offer creating an even more appealing environment for visitors and residents alike.”
- Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA)
“This project will strengthen our urban centre—creating significant economic spin-offs for our community’s many merchants and services. Through this undertaking we are also creating a renewed sense of pride in our town and reinforcing the draw of our existing tourism infrastructure.”
- Pam Mood, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth
Associated Links:
• The Town of Yarmouth
• North Star Cruises
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-448-2748 (cell)
E-mail: Alex.Smith@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Pam Mood
Mayor
Town of Yarmouth
902-742-8565 / 902-749-6442 (cell)
E-mail: Mayor.Mood@townofyarmouth.ca
