Skip to content

News: Expanding into Eastern Ontario through the acquisition of Fishburn Sheridan & Associates

Queen Street Placemaking
Community Spaces

Queen Street Placemaking

Location

Kitchener

Partners

City of Kitchener

Project overview

The intersection of King and Queen Streets serves as the historic heart of Kitchener. This stretch of Queen Street experiences high pedestrian activity, further amplified by the presence of the ION light rail transit (LRT) system. Engaged by the City of Kitchener to bring an established vision for Queen Street to life, the redesign of the corridor focused on a pedestrian-first approach, including enhancements to Vogelsang Green, Queen Street, and the Cenotaph Green.

Vogelsang Green was transformed into a tiered patio and open lawn area, complete with plaza seating and overhead catenary string lighting. Additional features, including signage at Goudies Lane, integrated street art, heritage panels within the right-of-way, and upgraded lighting along the two-block corridor, contribute to a distinctive and cohesive urban environment for pedestrians

MTE's Involvement

MTE worked with a multidisciplinary team to help the City of Kitchener to construct an established vision for Queen Street in Downtown Kitchener. A challenging site with a narrow right-of-way, Queen Street now has wider sidewalks, narrower vehicular travel lanes, upgraded surface treatments, and new street lighting. Road profiles have been adjusted to ensure the streetscape is barrier free and accommodating for all users. Under the surface, the project was also an opportunity to install trench drains and storm connections.

MTE was challenged to design a solution for the stormwater management and succeeded in developing a long-term solution for the City. Vogelsang Green features an open green space with edge seating, and outdoor sitting areas along Duke Street to support the Duke Food Block. Goudies Lane and Goudie’s Plaza have been transformed into new, well-lit pedestrian spaces. Colourful paving patterns have been introduced at key points along Queen Street including the intersection with King Street.