A bold transformation of New Westminster’s Uptown commercial core is officially underway, as construction begins on the long-anticipated Uptown Plaza and Sixth Street Public Realm Improvements. The $3.6 million project, spanning from Sixth Avenue to Belmont Street, aims to reshape the pedestrian and public space experience in one of the city’s busiest districts.
With roots in the City’s Uptown Streetscape Vision, the project is poised to bring life, accessibility, and sustainability to Sixth Street and the adjacent Belmont Street Plaza. Work officially started the week of February 24, 2025, and is expected to span six months, weather permitting.
*Photo by City of New Westminster
A Vision for a Walkable, Welcoming Uptown
This major public realm revitalization is part of a broader plan to give Uptown New Westminster a more human-centered, accessible identity. Guided by the Council-endorsed Uptown Streetscape Vision and aligned with the city’s Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action, the project prioritizes walking, cycling, and transit while enhancing community gathering spaces.
The focal point is Sixth Street between Sixth Avenue and Belmont Street—referred to as the “Core Block”—and the creation of a permanent Uptown Plaza on Belmont Street. The project seeks to make these areas safer, greener, and more engaging for pedestrians, cyclists, and public life.
*Photos by City of New Westminster
Permanent Uptown Plaza Takes Shape
Belmont Street is being reimagined as a central community hub. The interim version of Uptown Plaza, which opened in 2023 for public feedback, has now closed to make way for construction. The new, permanent plaza will include:
Curved seat walls, raised planters, and flexible open space
Trees, shade, and green infrastructure including 26 newly planted, climate-adapted trees
Plug-ins for mobility aids, outdoor seating, lighting, and public art
Amenities for small-scale events such as markets, performances, or community gatherings
The redesign directly responds to community feedback—especially concerns about safety, noise, and misuse of the interim plaza—with thoughtful spatial and programmatic improvements.
*Photos by City of New Westminster
Revamped Sixth Street with Pedestrians in Mind
Along Sixth Street, pedestrians will notice widened sidewalks with clear, obstruction-free zones, designed for universal accessibility. Sidewalks will reach a minimum 3-metre clear width on this "Great Street," promoting smoother, safer navigation for all—including those using mobility aids or strollers.
A key highlight at the intersection of Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue is a proposed pedestrian scramble—a traffic-calming feature where all vehicular traffic halts to allow pedestrians to cross in all directions simultaneously.
Throughout, new lighting, protected cycling lanes, integrated stormwater features, and decorative paving will support the city’s larger goals of accessibility, safety, and sustainability.
Smart Infrastructure and Phased Construction
Construction is unfolding in three phases:
Demolition and utility upgrades, including water, storm, and sanitary systems.
Sidewalks, curbs, landscaping prep, lighting, and seating installation.
Final road paving, finishing details, and landscaping.
The city is committed to minimizing disruptions. Construction hours run weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays as needed. Maintaining business access and transit operations is a top priority, including the relocation and upgrade of bus stops and enhancements to Route 106’s speed and reliability.
Green, Flexible, and Future-Proof
Sustainability is woven throughout the project. Rain gardens, pollinator-friendly plants, durable paving, and energy-efficient LED lighting are just the start. Spaces are designed to be flexible—with features like flush curbs and multi-use plazas enabling pop-up performances or temporary street closures.
Cycling infrastructure is being upgraded to connect with the Rotary Crosstown Greenway and New Westminster Secondary School. Parking is being realigned to prioritize accessibility and accommodate new mobility solutions such as ride-hailing zones and food truck spaces.
Community-Driven Design
From pop-up events and workshops to online surveys and business outreach, public engagement has shaped every aspect of the design. Input on the interim plaza directly influenced changes to programming, lighting, seating arrangements, and management strategies for the permanent plaza.
This collaborative approach ensures the project doesn't just look good on paper—it works for the people who live, work, and move through Uptown every day.
A New Chapter for Uptown New West
The Uptown Plaza and Sixth Street Public Realm Improvements project is more than a facelift—it’s a statement about what kind of future New Westminster is building. One where streets are vibrant, inclusive, and designed for people first.
Curious how this transformation could reshape your experience of Uptown? We’re keeping a close watch on projects like this—so you can stay a step ahead of the change. Want to be one of our informed insiders?
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