5.1 CLOCKTOWER / PLAZA SITE
The purpose of this section is to demonstrate the development feasibility of key sites within Tillsonburg’s Central Area. The demonstration sites are not specifically identified or slated for development. The illustrations provided are highly conceptual, and are not indicative of the materials, detailing, windows, or other building materials which would be incorporated into a future building.
Development Concept: The concept for this demonstration site includes the expansion and further programming of the existing plaza and the redevelopment of adjacent surface parking lots at a suitable scale with an appropriate mix of uses. The expanded plaza would include a mix of landscaped and hardscaped surfaces with a number of trees, shrubs, and other plantings. Hardscaped surfaces would be concentrated in high traffic areas, to accommodate greater pedestrian volumes, while landscaped surfaces would be concentrated in those areas where significant through- traffic is not anticipated. The plaza would incorporate a variety of furnishings including benches, waste receptacles and pedestrian-scaled lighting. The redevelopment, adjacent to the plaza, would take the form of an “L” shaped building. The southeast wing of this building would incorporate commercial uses including shops, cafes and restaurants, with frontage along Broadway Street as well as the adjacent plaza. A
Existing Conditions: This demonstration site is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Broadway and Bridge Streets. The site contains a small urban plaza with a limited number of benches, a hardscaped surface, and a three storey red brick clock tower. The tower is a significant gateway feature, marking the entrance to the Central Business District to the south. A large surface parking lot surrounds the plaza to the south and west. The southern portion of the lot is the site of a recent demolition, and remains unpaved. The site is accessible by an adjacent rear lane, immediately to the west. Vision: The vision for this site is to develop a new mixed- use building and expand the existing clock tower plaza. This site has the opportunity to create a strong northern gateway to Tillsonburg’s heritage main street character. By extending the streetwall to the north, a continuity is created within the street that terminates at a muti-functional open space. The expanded open space provides opportunity for a Town Square where civic year round events can occur.
Patios and other spillover uses would line the southern edge of the expanded plaza, creating a sense of animation.
Parking and servicing would be provided to the redevelopment on-site, and would be accessible by way of an adjacent rear lane.
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Tillsonburg Central Area Design Study
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