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Streetscape Enhancement Program
Coquitlam’s Streetscape Enhancement Program is enlivening streetscapes and public spaces across the community in 2023 and 2024 with public art, feature lighting, street furniture and other new amenities.
The improvements are targeting neighbourhoods not undergoing redevelopment, along with key business areas and City gateways.
The City is working with local businesses to select and coordinate the projects, which are funded by $900,000 from the Land Sale Reserve Fund as well $435,000 from a Destination Development Grant from the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. Staff are also exploring Corporate Partnership opportunities for the program to expand the impact.
Enlivening Coquitlam’s Streetscapes
The enhancements delivered through the program encourage community connection and pride, promote outdoor living, support tourism and economic development, and improve safety.
New street furniture, architectural features and public art attract people to outdoor spaces and business areas, while feature lighting helps make streets and public spaces more vibrant, walkable and safe at all hours of the day.
Staff Reports
- Implementation update July 31, 2023 Committee-of-Council meeting (PDF)
- Proposed implementation plan May 8, 2023 Committee-of-Council meeting (PDF)
- Proposed program Dec. 12, 2023 Committee-of-Council meeting (PDF)
- Proposed 2024 work plan June 17, 2024 Committee-of-Council meeting (PDF)
2023 Enhancements
Five new murals were delivered through the 2023 program:
- "Tree of Life (A Passage in Time)" – Blending time and colour together in a landscape that celebrates the Maillardville area, the mural was painted at 928 Brunette Avenue (at Zara's Hair and Beauty Salon). Painted by Laura Kwok.
- "Artful Connections & Inspired Community" – Painted at 952 Brunette Avenue, on the side of the Opus Art Supplies building, the mural is a celebration of the unifying potential of art, transcending language barriers and bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. Painted by Lay Hoon Ho in collaboration with emerging artist Angie Quintanilla Coates.
- "Through the Looking Glass" – A vibrant Alice in Wonderland-inspired scene was painted on the Place des Arts Renaissance building (1120 Brunette Avenue) by a team of youth, led by an experienced mural artist (Jocelyn Sanchez) to support the Summer Theatre Troupe’s outdoor performance of Through the Looking Glass.
- "The Ripple" – At 1198 Pinetree Way, next to Spirit Square, the mural calls attention with a Coast Salish spindle whorl face at its centre, ringed by protective “ripples” that feature the area’s plants and animals. Painted by the Raven Tacuara artist collective.
- "Ancestral Legacy" – An Indigenous-themed mural was painted on exterior of Town Centre Park Community Centre (formerly the Innovation Centre). Designed by the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation team and led by Amanda Hugon, a member of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation) and part of the project team for The Ripple (1198 Pinetree Way). The project was also supported by Sweewa (Joseph Kambeitz) an esteemed kʷikʷəƛ̓əm elder, Master carver, Jewelry Maker and Hand Engraver. The design concept was completed in fall 2023 and the mural painted before the centre’s renovations were completed in 2024.
- Year-round feature lighting on boulevard and median trees along Brunette Avenue was installed and designed to align with the seasonal lights at Mackin Park.
- Tree lighting in the City Centre neighbourhood with input from area residents and businesses was installed and illuminated streets during the darker winter months from mid-November to mid-February.
- Illuminated sign letters spelling out Coquitlam were installed on Lougheed to greet visitors to the busy commercial area in west Coquitlam, which is also one of the City’s gateways.
- Maillardville’s historic clock tower, gateway arch and plaza are also getting a refresh. The tower received a new roof and lighting in October, and updates to the arch and plaza are expected to take place later this year.
Fifteen new standard racks will be added to existing racks in the City Centre area, and a set of decorative racks will be installed near the Burquitlam SkyTrain station.
2024 Enhancements
Following on 2023’s successes, exciting new additions to Coquitlam’s streetscapes are already underway for 2024.
New murals designed by local artists are being considered for the following locations:
- Poirier Youth Centre: A collaborative youth engagement mural with the United Way is being explored for the entrance of the Poirier Youth Centre, The Getaway.
- Burquitlam and North Road: A number of possible locations are being considered for murals in the Burquitlam and North Road neighbourhoods.
- Coquitlam Public Library, City Centre Branch: Painted by Carolyn Wong/Seeroro, "Paperback Dream" is located on the north side of the library. The mural captures the free-spirited essence of imagination through the depiction of a young girl surrounded by Coquitlam's natural beauty. Learn more.
Decorative bike racks are being installed at two key locations in Coquitlam this fall. Designed to be functional public art, the racks provide secure bike and micromobility device parking.
The first set of racks, spelling "EXPLORE", was installed at the Coquitlam Public Library, City Centre branch. The second, spelling the word "RIDE", will be installed at the Burquitlam SkyTrain Station later this year. The racks were designed and placed through engagement with TransLink and the Coquitlam Public Library.
Visitors will also soon be able to take a seat on art-inspired decorative benches at different locations throughout the city.
The ornamental tree lighting in the City Centre area will be expanded to supplement existing lighting, improving visibility and safety during the darker winter months. This will include boulevard and median tree lighting on Glen, Pacific, the High, the pedestrian walkway through to Spirit Square Park across from City Hall, and along portions of Pinetree Way.
An additional library entrance on Pinetree Way is now open and includes accessible features such as an automatic door opener and railing.
Decorative bike racks, seating, colourful ground planting and murals along Pinetree Way and adjacent to Henderson Place Mall will create a more inviting experience for visitors to the library and local businesses.
"Paperback Dream", a mural painted by Carolyn Wong/Seeroro, can be found on the north side of the library.