Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life

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Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
Downtown

Action Plan

 Wellington
      The Coolest Spot when the Weather’s Hot
Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
Table of Contents

About Wellington & History                        3
About The Downtown Revitalization Study Project   4
Trade Area Analysis                               5
Wellington Proposed Design Concept                6-7
Survey Results - Residents                        8-9
Survey Results - Businesses                       10-11
                                                          About Wellington
Vision Statement                                  12      It’s the coolest spot when the weather is hot. Located directly on the north shore of Lake Ontario, Wellington boasts a
                                                          central position amongst the many wineries in the Prince Edward County VQA wine region. Stony Wellington Beach, just
                                                          a short stroll from downtown, has a boardwalk leading to an iconic lighthouse and modern docking facilities, including a
Market Position Statement                         12      landing site with Canada Border Services for boaters arriving from the United States. One of Ontario’s oldest homes, built
                                                          in 1786, is nestled right in town. Many of Wellington’s original settlers were United Empire Loyalists whose descendants
Goals & Action Plans                              13      still live in the village. Just up the street you can visit the weekly farmers’ market, over looking the lake’s sparkling waters,
                                                          for art, food, clothing, jewelry, crafts, baked goods, pizza and of course, locally-grown fruits & veg. Stay in a cozy B&B, inn
Action Plan Matrix                                14-15   or lakeside cottage, dine at some of the best eateries, ranging from cheery cafés to true gourmet restaurant experiences.
                                                          Wellington is a great home base to spend a few days tasting local wines, browsing pottery, painting, glassworks and more
                                                          at local galleries and studios, and to get in some quality time with the water.
Opportunities for New Businesses                  16
                                                          History
                                                          The Village of Wellington sits along the southern shore of the County and looks out towards Lake Ontario. The
                                                          completion of the Danforth Road in the early 1800’s allowed for Wellington to become an important shipping community
                                                          within the southern portion of the County. The Village is home to the oldest building in the County, the Daniel Reynold’s
                                                          Loyalist house, built in 1792. Wellington’s proximity to Lake Ontario is still a large draw today as the views and access to the
                                                          waterfront and beaches bring many tourists year round.

                                                                                                                      Wellington                             uick Facts:
                                                                                                                  P Large concentration of wineries in close proximity
                                                                                                                  P Post Office, new LCBO, new gas station & Tim Hortons
                                                                                                                  P Strong focus on art galleries/workshops
                                                                                                                  P Key access and connections North Beach, the Millennium Trail &
                                                                                                                     Sandbanks Provincial Park.

                                                                                                                  P Access to harbour, public beach/boardwalk and Lake Ontario
                                                                                                                     waterfront & boat launches

                                                                                                                  P Situated on historic Loyalist Parkway (Main St.)

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Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
Customer Origin Survey and Trade Area Analysis
                                                                                                                               Part of the scope of the Downtown Revitalization Study was to further understand
                                                                                  “Downtowns thrive and bustle when
                                                                                     there is a dynamic interchange            the consumer shopping dynamics in order to better identify opportunities for growth.
                                                                                 between public space, civic/social uses       Knowing where customers are coming from is crucial in the success of each business
                                                                                  and commercial activity. This makes          and collectively as a downtown. To determine where downtown shoppers live, survey
                                                                                   for interesting places that residents       responses from local resident shoppers identified their home postal code. The term
                                                                                  and visitors will come to experience.”       “trade area” refers to a geographic area that points to where the majority of consumers
                                                                                                                               reside (75-80%) for a downtown or business. The result is collected into a Trade Area
About the Downtown Revitalization Study Project                                                                                map see below.
Downtown revitalization is the process of improving the economic, physical and social well-being of a community’s
traditional town centre by:

    • Strengthening local business and encouraging investment by building and property owners;
    • Creating enjoyable public streets and spaces animated by a variety of creative and civic activities; and
    • Providing work and living opportunities that respond to people’s needs across a spectrum of ages and interests.                                             62                                          401   566                  to Kingston
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ottawa
                                                                                                                                                                         543 544                                                            Montreal
The County’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative is funded by the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, and is
                                                                                                                                                                   538
                                                                                                                                                                                   Belleville
                                                                                                                                                           401
intended to create a regional plan for its five distinct downtown cores. The RED Program is a provincial program funded by
                                                                                                                                        to Toronto                                                                   49
the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), and is supported by additional funding from The County
of Prince Edward. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is the result of interviews and surveys with business owners and                522
                                                                                                                                               Trenton              Rossmore
residents in an effort to assess the needs, challenges and opportunities in order to revitalize each downtown. The result is
the development of five Strategic Downtown Revitalization Plans, one for each of the following communities: Bloomfield,                                                                                                       33
                                                                                                                                                                               62
Consecon, Picton, Rossmore and Wellington, as well as a single, overarching County-wide Downtown Revitalization
Strategy.                                                                                                                                                                                                           33
                                                                                                                                                  33                                                                                        N
The County’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative is led by volunteer-based steering committees from each of the downtown                                                                              Picton
areas, and supports the County’s Community Development Strategic Plan. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative can be                                       Consecon
broken down to four main components: 1. Economic Development 2. Leadership and Management 3. Physical Improvements
                                                                                                                                                                 33 Wellington                  Bloomfield
4. Marketing and Promotions.                                                                                                                                                                                                Prince Edward Bay

                                                                                                                                                         Wellington and 75%
                                                                                                                                                                                            Sandbanks
                                                                                                                                                         of Trade Area                      Provincial Park

                                                                                                                                                                 Lake Ontario

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Surveying Residents & Business Owners
                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Business Owner Survey collect information on the attitudes
                                                                                                                                                                                                 and opinions of business operators in the downtown. It measures
                                                                                                                                                                                                 current business needs, marketing and sales information and
                                                                                                                                                                                                 perceptions of the downtown.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Resident Survey collect information on the attitudes and
                                                                                                                                                                                                 opinions of community residents about the downtown. The
                                                                                                                                                                                                 survey can measure current shopping patterns, retail and service
                                                                                                                                                                                                 needs and residents perceptions of the downtown. With a greater
                                                                                                                                                                                                 understanding of residents opinions about the current state of
                                                                                                                                                                                                 the downtown and their hopes for its future, you can build a
                                                                                                                                                                                                 downtown that residents are proud of and support as customers.

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Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
Wellington Proposed Design Concept
The proposed design concept for Wellington focuses on supporting local businesses, showcasing local heritage, and
strengthening visual and physical connections to the water. The revitalization of the Wharf Street and Wellington Main
Street intersection will also be a major contributor to the overall quality of Wellington Main Street.

                    Downtown Core                                          Seating Opportunities                                                           Potential Signed Bicycle Route

                    Contributing Façades                                   Existing Public Washrooms                                                       Existing & Proposed Pedestrian Crosswalks

                    Town Square                                            Connections to Amenities beyond the Core                                        Waterfront Access Improvement

                    Tourism Information Centre                             Partnership Opportunities for Additional Parking Space                          Significant Views

                    Key Wayfinding Locations                               Proposed Bicycle Parking Locations

                                                                                                                                              NILES ST.
                                MILLENNIUM                                                                                                                                                    ACCESS TO THE
                                   TRAIL                                                                                                                                                       MILLENNIUM

                                                                             WEST ST.

                                                                                                                WHARF ST.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  TRAIL

                                                                                                                                                                                  MAPLE ST.
                                  SECOND AVE.
                                                                                                                                                      CML SNIDER
                                                                                                                                                      ELEMENTARY
                                                                 FITZGERALD                                                                             SCHOOL                                 OAK ST.
                                                                    HOUSE                          NOXON AVE.
                          CON

                                                                                                                                                                                                              ACCESS TO THE
                                                                                                                                                                                                               WELLINGTON
                            SEC

                                                                                                                                                 TOWN
                                                                                                                                                 HALL                                                            MARINA
                              ON

                                                                                                    MUSEUM
                                ST.

                                                      WELLINGTON MAIN ST.
                                                                                                                                                          REYNOLDS
                                                                                                                              LIBRARY               UNITED HOUSE
                                                                                        WEST ST.

                                                                                                                            & ARCHIVES              CHURCH
                  3
            WAY 3

                                                                                                                                   EAS
       IG H

                                                                                                                                                                                                                BEA
     H                                                                                                                                      WELLINGTON
                                                   NAR

                                                                                                                                            MAIN STREET

                                                                                                                                    T ST
                                                                                                      DRAKE OF

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 CH
                                                      RO

                                                                                                     DEVONSHIRE                                PARK

                                                                                                                                        .

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ST.
                                                      WS

                                                                                                        INN
                                                        T.

                                                                           ST.
                                                                  TER
                                                                WA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ROTARY
                                                                                                                                              WELLINGTON                                                              BEACH
                                                                                                                                                 BAY

6                                                                                                                                                                                                                              7
Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
Survey Results- Residents                                                                                                             Survey Results- Residents Cont.
Those surveyed on the streets of Wellington who considered themselves residents of Wellington were asked a series of questions
related to their shopping behaviour and perceptions of their downtown. For instance, 34% of residents of Wellington shop mostly
in Wellington, 28% in Picton and 34% in other communities including Belleville, Trenton and Napanee. Only 4% of residents shop in     Why Residents
Bloomfield.                                                                                                                           Shop Elsewhere:
Business owners perceive their primary competition is from other businesses inside PEC (66%). This aligns closely with resident       1. Better Selection
surveys (see pie charts below).                                                                                                       2. Better Price
Wellington can do a lot to retain local customers as more than 60% of the local residents primarily shop elsewhere. The reasons
why residents shop elsewhere can be found on the following page, with most surveyed citing better selection and better pricing.
                                                                                                                                      3. Closer to Home
                                                                                                                                      4. Closer to Work
                                                                                                                                                                                       #
                                                                                                                                                                                        1
                                                                                                                                                                                      Business
                                                                                                                                      5. Better Hours
                                                                                                                                      6. Better Quality                       Owner Complaint:
                                                                                            8%                                                                                 Lack of Support
                                                                                            Wellington                                What is Important                         for Shopping
                          34%                   28%                            34%                                                    to Residents                                  Local.
                          Outside               Picton                         Outside                                                When Purchasing:
                          PEC                                                  of PEC
                                                               VS.                                                                    1. Quality
                                                  4%                                                                                  2. Price

                                       34%                                               58%                                          3. Customer Service
                                                                                                                                      4. Local Availability
                                                                                         Other Businesses
                                       in your                                           in PEC                                       5. Brand Name
                                       downtown

                            Residents:                                     Businesses: Where’s                                                                                                              Word Cloud Meaning
                                                                                                                                                                                                            A Word Cloud is a visual way to understand
                        Where Do You Shop?                                  Your Competition?

Residents would like to see a number of new businesses that match the greater selection and better pricing that is being offered in
                                                                                                                                       Friendly                                          Expanding          the qualities of a community at a glance
                                                                                                                                                                                                            with the most commonly mentioned words

neighbouring communities. However the chart below indicates that the Trade Area Population may not support this. Chain stores                  Quaint                                                       being larger.
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Residents and business owners were
and franchise brands conduct a Trade Area Analysis which considers the population density required to support a new location.
As a result, Wellington does not have the required population density to support many of these establishments. Additionally, the                                                                            asked about the character of Wellington.
negative effects on the vitalitity of a downtown and competing small business has to be considered when trying to attract these                                                                             The resulting descriptive words have been
types of businesses.                                                                                                                                                                                        incorporated into the Word Cloud on the
                                                                                                                                                                                                            left.

                                                                                                                                      Wellington residents are proud, with tremendous sense of
                                                                                                                                      community. They value their heritage and their access to
                                                                                                                                      the waterfront beaches. Wellington is also undergoing a
      REDEVELOP VARIETY STORE                                                                                                         transformation, becoming a prominent food and wine hub in The
               CLOTHING STORE
                                                                                                                                      County. The night life of the downtown core is extending, and
                                                                                                                                      tourism is bustling. Many of the business and shops in Downtown
                GROCERY STORE                                                                                                         Wellington are focused on serving local residents. However the
                  GAS STATION*                                                                                                        growing number of short term accommodations is impacting
                                                                                                                                      affordable housing. Wellington is identified as a key centre in the
                 MORE PARKING
                                                                                                                                      proposed County structure.
                   BARBERSHOP

            FAMILY RESTAURANT

                           BANK

                     # Surveyed
                                  02       03       04    05      06       0

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Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
Survey Results- Businesses
             Wellington Business Mix (%)                                                                                                                                         Wellington’s
               31 – Comparison Service                                                                                                                                           Busiest                May

                                                                           90%                                                                                                   Months 24
               23 – Convenience Retail
                                                                                                                                                                                 Starts in April,
                                                                           of Wellington
               17 – Restaurant/Entertainment
                                                                           Businesses                                                                                            peaking in July &
               10 – Destination Service                                    are Locally                                                                                           August & extending
                                                                           Owned                                                                                                 into Fall season.
               10 – Comparison Retail
               7 – Destination Retail
               2 – Convenience Service
                                                                                              Advantages of Operating in Wellington                              Biggest Issues Facing
                                                                                              P Warm, friendly & supportive business community                   Wellington
    Single Biggest Issue Facing Wellington Business Owners                                                                                                       S Lack of parking
                                                                                              P Key destination for water/beach access; centre for food/
                                                                                                                                                                 S Poor wayfinding signage

                                                                          40%

                                                                                        60%
                                                        20%

                                                              30%

                                                                                  50%
                                            10%

                                                                                                wine
                                 0%

                                                                                                                                                                 S Seasonal closings
                                                                                              P High volume of local and regional traffic due to local
                                                                                                                                                                 S Lack of available commercial space
                  Seasonality                                                   52%             buzz; downtown is very walkable
                                                                                                                                                                 S Short Term Accommodations
          Government Issues                                         39%                       P A strong upmarket brand, unique shopping/visitor
                                                                                                experience; always evolving                                      S Access to faster internet
         Business Attraction                                        39%
                                                                                              P Demand for additional services to support local residents
                     Parking                                        39%
                                                                                                & the influx of seniors presents business development
                    Planning                            26%                                     opportunities

                     Internet                     19%                                         P Active local volunteer base; Business Association &
                                                                                                owners’ support/advocacy
                      Signage         10%
       Workforce issues/Public
transportation/Operating Hours    6% each

                                                                                                                                                            Green grocer               Professional services

                                                                                                                                                            Health food store          Evening entertainment

                                                                                                                                                            New dining options         Clothing/apparel shops

                                                                                                                                                            Convenience store
0
1                                                                                                                                                                                                              11
Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
Outcomes                                                                                                                               Goals
                                                                                                                                       Action Plans Resulting from Downtown Revitalization Study
Outcomes of Downtown Revitalization Study
                                                                                                                                       Communities preparing to move forward with downtown business retention and development starts with #1. Collect & analyze
Part of the Downtown Revitalization process was the development of a Vision Statement by each downtown committee.
                                                                                                                                       data #2 Develop Prioritized Goals & Action Plans. Below is a summary of the identified goals developed for Wellington’s
Wellington’s Vision Statement is the result of committee building consensus on core values and operating principles.
                                                                                                                                       Downtown Revitalization Initiative:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                Priority Ranking (0-100)
                                                                                                                                       Goals/Objectives                                                         Based on Business Surveys

                     Wellington Vision Statement:                                                                                        1. Traffic Calming Measures
                                                                                                                                         2. Address Short Term Rental issue
                                                                                                                                                                                                           81
                                                                                                                                                                                                           80
                                                                                                                                         3. Increase affordable housing                                    80
                   Wellington- “where paradise and practicality                                                                          4. Improved Parking                                               71
                             come together for all”                                                                                      5. Showcase local art and culture                                 60
                                                                                                                                         6. Improve beautification and amenities                           60
                                                                                                                                         7. Strengthen “Shop Local”                                        60
                                                                                                                                         8. Improve bicycle network / cycle friendly                       59
                                                                                                                                         9. Strengthen relations with The County                           57
                                                                                                                                         10. More business attraction and retention initiatives            54
                                                                                                                                         11. Improve access to water                                       53
                                                                                                                                         12. Businesses Attraction                                         53
                      Wellington Market Position                                                                                         13. Improve Streetscapeing, Sidewalks, Landscaping                52
The development of new markets (or customers) for your downtown businesses may be a good strategy for the downtown                       14. Improve Street Lighting                                       48
economy. However ensuring the right kind of business and development is key in maintaining the unique character of a                     15. Improve networking and collaboration                          48
downtown. That is why a Market Position Statement is used to guide the retention and recruitment of downtown businesses and
                                                                                                                                         16. Improve Wayfinding                                            47
the marketing and promotions actions. Specifically, a Market Position is used as a filter when assessing the feasibility of business
attraction and development ideas.                                                                                                        17. Winter information workshops                                  47
                                                                                                                                         18. More special events                                           45
                                                                                                                                         19. More available commercial and retail space                    43
                                                                                                                                         20. Implement Facade Improvement Program                          41

                   “Wellington is a waterfront village that provides
                     locals and seasonal guests with everything
                   they need including a complete range of retail,
                      professional and entertainment services.”

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Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
5) Cost-benefit: Will the action lead to sufficient benefits for the downtown to justify the costs in time and other resources?
                                                                                                                                                                                 6) Timing: When should the organization implement this action, at this time, given competing demands and external factors.
Action Plans Matrix Resulting from Goals
Action Plans help address the most pressing downtown problems and plan for long-term solutions within an appropriate timeline.
The Action Plan Matrix on the next page outlines both current and potential projects or initiatives that accomplish Picton’s
Downtown Revitalization goals.
Action Plans Matrix
                                                                                                    Priority
      #                             Wellington Goal/Objectives                                                                      Activity/Project                                                             Task/Description                                          Responsibility            Timeline
                                                                                                     0-100
                                        Streetscape Visioning:
           Traffic Calming Measures. Review of traffic calming measures with a plan to improve
      1                                                                                               81                        Evaluate crosswalk potential                                                       study underway                                               PEC                 2019 Budget
                                           pedestrian safety.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        Identify new parking lot opportunities
      2                                      Improved Parking                                         71                       Evaluate parking in Wellington                                                                                                                   PEC                    2018
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Include in County Wide Transportation Master Plan
               Showcasing local art and culture. This can range in application from murals to                   Creation of Art routes in Wellington to further promote back
      3                                                                                               60                                                                          Design self guided art routes for Wellington and promoted on Official Tourism Site         CDD/WDBA                  2019
                                   sculptures, public displays, and more.                                                                street artists.
           Improve beautification and amenities such as benches, recycling receptacles , flowers,
      4                                                                                               60       Improve visuals of blue garbage bins, add recycling receptacles                                                                                               PEC/WDBA                  2019
                                             cycle racks, etc.

               Improved Bicycle network / Cycle Friendly including improved connections to                          Evaluate cycling issues & opportunities in Wellington                          Include Wellington in Cycle Friendly Master Plan                             PEC                    2018
      5                                                                                               59
                                            Millennium Trail.
                                                                                                                                     Develop Cycle Map                                    County Wide Cycle Map Print and online versions. (after cycle plan)               WDBA & CDD                 2019

                                                                                                                 further promote Rotary beach and waterfront trail which is
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Include in wayfinding detailed content plan
                                                                                                                        located right in the downtown of Wellington
      6                                  Improved access to water                                     53
                                                                                                               Further promote and enhance the lakeside park that features a
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Timely repair and infrastructure cleanup                                 PEC                Summer 2018
                                                                                                                                 kid friendly playground

                                                                                                                                                                                  Millennium Trail Pedestrian Signage to encourage pedestrian & cycle traffic to/from
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Wellington Main St.
      7                                    Improved Wayfinding                                        47        Detailed County Wide Direction Signage Implementation Plan                                                                                                      CDD                    2018
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Detailed Construction Drawing of town gateway sign.

                                                                                                                                                                                            New free parking signage at boat parking at Wellington Arena.

                                                                                                                                                                                                Planning: to Develop County Wide Program for Year 2                             PEC             2020 program rollout

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Council: to approve and allocate Funding                                Council               Fall 2019
      8                          Implement Facade Improvement Program                                 41                 Implement Facade Improvement Program                                         Wellington Stakeholders : to lobby council                               WDBA                  Fall 2019

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Community Development   For Fall 2018 Budget
                                                                                                                                                                                           CDD: Identify funding sources (CIP? % of new assessment value?)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Department                planning.

                                         Economic Development

      9                 Support more business attraction and retention initiatives.                   54                         Leverage BuildaNewLife.ca                                              Profile Wellington on BuildaNewLife.ca                                  CDD                    2018

           Use winter information workshops on topics such as marketing, succession planning,                  Continue to offer Winter Survival Workshops based off feedback
      11                                                                                              47                                                                                                    Marketed through the WDBA                                       CDD & WDBA          Fall 2018 & on-going
               and business planning to help support the Wellington business community.                                          from Wellington Businesses

           Work on attracting developers to create more proper available commercial and retail
      12                                                                                              43
                              space. (while still maintaining downtown feel)

                                        Leadership & Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Short Term Accomations Study
      13                             Address Short Term Rental issue.                                 80             Short Term Accommodation regulations and policy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Engage consultants
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Affordable Housing Task Team                                        PEC             Fall 2018 & on-going
      14                 Help increase affordable housing inventory in Wellington.                    80               Encourage development of affordable housing                                              Leverage surplus lands
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Expedite housing development

      15             Strengthen “Shop Local” through special programs or campaigns                    60         Ensure WDBA is involved with CDD led Shop Local initiatives                                                                                                CDD & WDBA               Fall 2018

                                                   Other

      16                     Improve Streetscapeing, Sidewalks, Landscaping                           52

      17                 Improved public safety through Improved Street Lighting.                     48

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Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
Opportunities for New Business
Community Investors Wanted...
Access to the Water
Business opportunities exist to leverage Wellington’s close proximity and access to the water for future development purposes.
The significant views and physical connections to Lake Ontario in this part of The County provide potential investment
opportunities for year-round business ventures.

Concluding Remarks
The Downtown Revitalization Study is an exciting opportunity to unify Prince Edward County’s towns. The Community
Development Department (CDD) is already working on many initiatives related to the goals outlined in this report. The Wellington
BIA and the CDD are committed to ensuring the vitality and wellbeing of Wellington through exciting community development
projects that enhance and improve our vital communities. For more information on on-going initiatives, please visit BuildaNewLife.
ca/Wellington.

          Neil Carbone
          Director of Community Development,

                      Contact us about locating your business in The County!
16                    613-476-2148 | thecounty.ca | cdd@pecounty.on.ca
Wellington Action Plan Downtown - Build a New Life
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