Fort St. John Downtown Public Realm and Streetscape Master Plan

thinkmodus
Aug 5
2 min read

Designing a Resilient, All-Season Downtown Experience.

THE CHALLENGE

Following the adoption of the Downtown Action Plan, the City of Fort St. John recognized the need for a detailed and implementable vision for the public realm. While the Downtown Plan identified the “10 Big Moves” for transformation, bringing these ideas to life required a clear design framework for streets, plazas, and public spaces that could reflect Fort St. John’s unique climate, character, and aspirations.

As a northern city experiencing rapid growth, Fort St. John needed to create an inviting and functional downtown that works in all seasons. The challenge was to reimagine streetscapes and key public spaces in a way that supports economic revitalization, downtown living, and cultural vibrancy—while also coordinating with infrastructure upgrades and the City’s Transportation Master Plan.

THE RESPONSE

MODUS developed the Downtown Public Realm and Streetscape Master Plan to guide the transformation of Fort St. John’s downtown into a more walkable, cohesive, and climate-resilient environment. Grounded in the principles of “Design for All Seasons,” “Create Good Bones,” and “Maintenance is Key,” the plan establishes clear standards and design elements for consistent streetscape improvements over time.

The plan introduces detailed streetscape typologies, sidewalk configurations, and intersection treatments to support pedestrian safety and comfort. It includes conceptual designs for two key downtown plazas—the Old Fort Market Plaza and the NPCC South Plaza and Bus Exchange—as vibrant, programmable public spaces for community gathering, events, and year-round activation.

A unified suite of furnishings, materials, lighting, and planting—selected for durability, visual consistency, and winter performance—ensures that the public realm complements adjacent development and creates a strong downtown identity. High-level cost estimates and phasing recommendations allow the City to align capital improvements with redevelopment and infrastructure priorities.

Together, the plan equips Fort St. John with a practical and visionary tool to shape a downtown that is safe, welcoming, and memorable in every season.