The Downtown Plaza (in front of the post office – 502 9th Avenue North) project is officially complete after a revitalization project transformed this historically underused public space in Golden’s downtown core. The result is a vibrant plaza with improved functionality that will encourage community interaction and enhance pedestrian amenities.
In 2021, the Town was one of eight communities in the Kootenay Rockies region to receive funding through the Tourism Dependent Communities Initiative. The Town received $468,750 for the Downtown Plaza Revitalization project.
“Tourism is one of our province’s most dynamic industries. Every day, people around the world are making plans to visit British Columbia,” says Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Our government’s investment in tourism-dependent communities supports the Downtown Plaza in Golden by creating an inviting public space. Investments in tourism infrastructure are integral to community vibrancy, continued recovery and will benefit residents and visitors for years to come.”
The area was originally developed in 1987 as part of a downtown revitalization initiative.
“This is an exciting project for our downtown core,” said Ron Oszust, Mayor of Golden. “Thank you to the residents who helped us re-imagine the Downtown Plaza. Your ideas, considerations, and feedback helped the Town design a vibrant public space to connect our residents and visitors to other key attractions in town.”
In 2019, the Town of Golden and LARCH Landscape Architecture engaged with the community to gather ideas and feedback to inform the creation of conceptual design options for this space. Jason Jones, owner of LARCH, presented two conceptual designs and cost estimates to Town Council in late 2019. LARCH built out the detailed design and managed the project to its completion. The plaza reopened to the public in July 2023, with the installation of the long-awaited shade structure and light feature, the project is now complete.
Thirty-two communities received a combined $19.4 million through the Tourism Dependent Communities Initiative; one of three infrastructure investment programs for tourism as part of StrongerBC: BC's Economic Recovery Plan.
For more information on the Downtown Plaza Revitalization project, visit golden.ca/downtownplaza.