With the support of a student, the Town of Pelham will conduct a complete review and update to the downtown master plan. The research, analysis, and direction identified through this work should continue an ongoing dialogue about growth and improvements to the downtowns of Fenwick and Fonthill, rooted in a clear understanding of what works, what is treasured and needs to be protected, and what should change. This work will build on the information included in the last downtown master plan, conducted in 2014, which is outdated and does not reflect the current community.
Pelham’s strategic plan makes clear that the municipality is more than a place; it’s a dynamic community of people whose high quality of life must be protected while achieving meaningful growth and development. At the time the 2014 plan was published, Pelham sought to transform the downtown core from “a point of transit with no clearly defined image to a destination place.” Now, the municipality is seeking to meet the needs of residents, business owners, and the community, preserving the small-town feel while undertaking modernization efforts to help support growth and economic development.
The goals of a downtown master plan update student position are two-fold:
- To research how best to prepare a new downtown master plan to inform municipal decision-making and processes during the master plan update; and
- To analyze the needs and desires of the community that should be included in an improved downtown master plan.
Pelham is seeking a student with a strong research skillset and an interest in urban design and community engagement. To be successful, the student must be able to make informed recommendations that consider the implications of Ontario planning legislation and of small-town and rural community economic development within the master plan.