Highways to Boulevards. Retrofitting the King George...

 It's been renamed a boulevard but The King George still looks and acts like a highway.
Retrofitting the George  is one important step toward transforming Surrey into a world class city. Not just in the City Centre area, but in Newton as well.
 Great examples in the video below, particularly from the 7:00 minute mark onward.

 In Newton we need shorter blocks on the King George. Between 64th and 68th Avenues there are no crosswalks and people die because the temptation to  cross the insanely wide road is just too much. Who wants to walk a half-mile just to use the designated crosswalk?

From Vacant to Vibrant. An Arts District for Surrey?

ReVisting ReNewton's  ReVitalization Goal....

Close your eyes and imagine this...

A vibrant corner in the heart of your city. Cafes, Shops, Music, Galleries,  FOOD!  and maybe a craft brewery or wine shop. Lots of retail, and live/work spaces above for artists and crafts people.

 A community hub for the rainbow of ethnicities who call this place home. One of the most appealing aspects of living in Newton is its cultural diversity. Perfect for an International Village type environment.

A 'Third Place"

 And, as so many of you  are telling us,  the return of the much loved farmers/public market of the 80s! 

The cries to bring the market back are heard everywhere we go!  

Now imagine this for the stretch of King George Blvd between 6oth and 74th Avenues  in the South Newton area of Surrey. Maybe the promised "Festival Street" could  become a magnet for young musicians and artists. Live/Work spaces, music and art studios anyone?

 The absolute smack-dab heart of Surrey.

 Right now it's still a dream, but  it could become a reality.  When I met with urban planning guru Ellen Dunham-Jones  last year at Simon Fraser University she encouraged us to " keep on fighting"to  Retrofit Suburbia

All it takes is bit of community spirit, a few dollars and decision makers with a vision and a mindset to think ever so slightly 'out-of-the-box'

Imagine ....

    THE GEORGE ARTS DISTRICT

not just for artists

One city's plan to create a vibrant arts+retail hub

Public gathering space - a place where ideas and community live,. A busy place is a SAFE place!

  

What one community did- notice any difference?

 If you support ReImagining, ReCreating and ReVitalizing Newton, 

consider yourself officially a member of ReNewton Nation

Vacant building on the King George has sat empty for 18 years

.

Newton got the slots back in 2012. They are slated to be removed soon.

* Slots have since been removed.

The King George is in need of a suburban retrofitting intervention!

ARTS DISTRICT-not just for artists

How about International Village for Newton?

Time to think outside the box and build something wonderful that ALL  of Surrey residents can feel good about!

What now for Downtown Newton?
Some thoughts...

Holland Park in Downtown Surrey is home to the Fusion Festival, a popular annual event that   thousands  of families enjoy every year.  Always a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city's amazingly diverse cultures and nationalities. 

 Last summer we attended  with 3 kids from Mexico who said the best thing by far was the delicious food! They  enjoyed the chicken satay with peanut sauce so much that I had to make my version of it for dinner  later that evening! Got everybody talking about how great it would be for Surrey and in particular Downtown Newton to showcase  our multi-culturalism  for more than  just a few weekends a year.  Newton  has the largest population in Surrey many of whom are immigrants bringing with them their own unique gifts and artistic skills.

Wouldn't it be great to see Downtown  Newton transformed into an International Village? Imagine the food!    We'd love to see a farmer's market  that caters to everyone's cultural heritage. 

Bringing cultures together is  what builds a strong community and contributes to

 healthy, safe and vibrant neighbourhoods. 

What do you think? 

Mother and son shopping at open air marketplace

International Village for Newton?

Central City Skyline

The Central City tower is destined to become THE identifying landmark in the heart of the rapidly developing Surrey Downtown neighbourhood.  

 In the same way that  anyone anywhere seeing the Harbour Centre building in a photo or painting of Vancouver's skyline immediately knows exactly which city they're looking at, soon anybody seeing an image of  the iconic roof top  "whoosh"  will know that THIS is Central City.

The curving rooftop and welcoming outdoor plaza are truly a gem in the heart of our expanding city. If you've never been inside this part of the complex do yourself a favour. It's a marvel of architecture and design. The wood beams alone are worth the trip. Many people say the interior reminds them of a ship which 

I believe is exactly what architect Bing Thom had in mind.

  You can relax on the patio of the Central City Brewing Company restaurant and pub, sip one of their award-winning brews, and enjoy the simple pleasure of  people watching on the outdoor plaza. 

 This is a great place to be!

Central City Tower by Lamplight
Photo by Jude Hannah