Mission Downtown Public Realm Master Plan

A Vision to Transform the Heart of Downtown.

THE CHALLENGE

To implement the Downtown Action Plan, the City of Mission launched a Public Realm Master Planning process for its downtown core. The City aimed to restore 1st Avenue to its roots as a two-way, pedestrian-oriented retail high street and reinforce its role as the community’s economic, social, and cultural heart. The goal was to identify catalyst projects, public investments, and policies that could elevate downtown from good to great.

A Public Realm Plan - with conceptual designs for streetscapes, plazas, and key nodes - was needed to inform capital planning and establish a cohesive vision that could be realized incrementally through both public investment and private redevelopment.

THE RESPONSE

The City facilitated collaborative discussions with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to enable changes to the provincial highway network. MODUS was engaged to lead the planning and design process.

MODUS developed three overarching design principles to guide the transformation of the public realm, shaping its form, function, and materiality. Nine distinct conceptual designs were created to reimagine streetscapes, plazas, and special nodes—balancing transportation needs with seasonal use and environmental considerations.

The plan includes cost estimates for capital improvements and priority projects to support decision-making and budgeting. A detailed set of design guidelines and furnishing specifications—crafted in a contemporary heritage character—complement existing heritage buildings and ensure a cohesive public realm as downtown continues to evolve.

Client

City of Mission