Council will consider a proposal for changes and additional activation for Nanaimo Square at the April 1 Meeting.
“Nanaimo Square is a busy intersection in downtown Penticton,” says Julie Czeck, general manager of public safety and partnerships. “Surrounded by a bank, retail, restaurants and full of vibrancy in the summer months, this location has increasingly become an area for problematic behaviors, including overnight sheltering, social disorder and loitering. Since 2021, there have been a total of 408 calls to bylaw and 1,318 to the police.”
In response to these issues, Bylaw staff and the RCMP's Community Policing Team undertook a comprehensive Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessment in the Summer of 2024. CPTED is an approach to crime reduction that seeks to reduce perceived opportunities for crime through the design and management of the built and natural environment. The science behind CPTED is rooted in environmental psychology and urban planning, focusing on how physical spaces influence human behavior.
Upon completion of the CPTED report, the City partnered with the Penticton Downtown Business Improvement Association (DPBIA) and the Chamber of Commerce to develop recommendations for changes that aim to enhance public safety and restore the square’s intended purpose.
The proposed changes include:
- Removal of the spruce tree and concrete surround and repairing paving stone areas
- Removal of the fountain and repairing paving stone areas
- Activation of the space through the City’s mobile vendor program
“Based on our data and recent CPTED assessment, we’re hopeful that these measures will enhance the comfort and overall experience in the area,” Ms. Czeck continues. “We worked closely with the Downtown Penticton Business Association and Chamber of Commerce on a phased approach that allows us to monitor and make additional changes or improvements if required.”
The estimated cost to remove the tree and fountain and restore the area is approximately $10,000 and is proposed to be funded through General Surplus in 2025.
If endorsed by Council, work could begin as early as this spring.