Approval wanted for final phase of downtown Oshawa streetscape project

Oshawa Council is hoping to begin the final phase of a street widening and beautification project on King Street this year; a project that began six years ago.

Council approved the final phase of the King Street sidewalk widening project between MacMillan Drive and King Street West in the 2023 budget and hope to get approval Monday to finally finish the job.

The project scope has been increased to include more streetscape improvements to add massing and visual appeal to the public realm, including additional planters, seating, greenery, and visual elements and staff will be directed to implement similar improvements to the rest of the downtown.

The final phase follows the pilot project that began in 2018 with public consultation on three design options for the widening of the sidewalk on the north side of King Street East between Ontario Street and Mary Street North.

The second phase, King Street West between Simcoe and Ontario Street, was completed in 2020. The third phase of the project focused on the widening of the sidewalk on the north side of King Street West between Simcoe and Prince Street. The widening allowed for additional space for pedestrians, landscaping, outdoor patios/cafes, streetscape amenities and businesses.

Tree planting, benches and bike racks were also included in the design plan. That portion was completed in 2022.

“The King Street East Streetscape project addresses our long-range goals of creating a welcoming and pedestrian-friendly downtown Oshawa for our residents, visitors and businesses,” Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter said in 2022, a sentiment echoed by Tito-Dante Marimpietri, who chairs the Development Services Committee.

Marimpietri called the design “community curb appeal.”

“With wider more inviting sidewalk spaces, this phase of the King Street East Streetscape project tangibly advances our city one step closer to achieving our vision of a vibrant downtown Oshawa with pedestrian-focused and landscaped spaces.”

This portion of King Street is also expected to welcome the Durham Scarborough Rapid Bus Line and its additional streetscape changes, with construction scheduled in the coming years.

The Streetscape Design Vision guides the development of public areas downtown and includes specifications for benches, trash receptacles, greenery and more while also investigating opportunities like sidewalk widening.

Funding for the streetscape improvements, if approved Monday, will come from the Downtown Reserve Fund.