Downtown Streetscape Improvement Summer 2016
As part of the Yarmouth Downtown Blueprint Plan, completed in 2010 by Ekistics Planning & Design, the rejuvenation of our downtown public spaces is essential and requires strategic infrastructure investment to strengthen existing downtown assets.
The Main Street Streetscape Project with the Downtown Facade Improvement Program were identified as key priorities by Council in 2014, in the rejuvenation of the downtown. Ekistics Planning & Design was contracted to design a streetscape in the core of the downtown, encompassing the intersections on Main Street from John Street to Brown Street and Cliff Street. A key objective of the streetscape design was to maximize the potential of the public spaces.
Ekistics Planning & Design developed a streetscape that will be 'uniquely recognizably Yarmouth'. They have introduced in the streetscape design, 'natural elements to balance the existing structured form and to create a hospitable pedestrian environment'. The Inspiration - our local geology! The Design Concept - continuity of natural materials; reduce drainage on infrastructure; create protected and shaded space for people; and avoid subsurface conflicts with utilities and other services.
The streetscape will include nine bump-outs at the three intersections, benches, bike racks, lighting and trees that will provide - shorter pedestrian crossing distance, enhanced safety, traffic calming, prioritization of pedestrians and opportunities for sitting, gathering, waiting, conversing and shade!
Construction starts in the early summer of 2016 with completion estimated by August 2016. Watch a video of the full design concept.
This Main Street Streetscape project has contributed funds of $500,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Smart City Ideas Challenge
Are you ready to vote? You gave us some great ideas to work with and we have narrowed it down to six ideas. The top two ideas that receive the most votes will be brought to Council to decide which will form the basis of the Town’s application for the Infrastructure Canada’s Smart City Challenge. Voting ends on March 16, 2018. Please visit getinvolvedyarmouth.ca to vote!
The Town of Yarmouth is looking for your ideas; is there something you would like to change or improve about our community? We want to hear from you.
What?
The Smart City approach means achieving meaningful outcomes for residents through the use of data and connected technology. This approach can be adopted by any community, big or small.
Why?
The Government of Canada has issued a Smart City Challenge and is accepting applications for communities for meaningful, measurable, projects that reflect the needs of the community and are explained within the context of a "smart city approach". Winning applications will receive the funding to implement their project. The following prize opportunities are available:
- One prize of up to $50 million - Open to all communities, regardless of population
- Two prizes of up to $10 million each - Open to all communities with populations under 500,000 people
- One prize of up to $5 million - Open to all communities with populations under 30,000 people
For more information on the Smart City Challenge visit Impact Canada: Smart Cities Challenge.
Who?
Anyone can submit an idea! The Town is accepting all ideas that contribute to improving the community for residents. Each idea should touch on one of the following themes:
- Resident Welfare - helps the community to feel safe and secure.
- Earn a Good Living - provide opportunities for residents to seek fair employment.
- Move Around my Community - connect important community destinations.
- Enjoy a Healthy Environment - improves the overall health of those in the Town.
- Be Empowered and Included in Society - help those most vulnerable find a voice within our neighbourhood.
- Live an Active and Healthy Lifestyle - provide healthy opportunities to citizens.
How?
Ideas can be submitted online through the Town of Yarmouth's getinvolvedyarmouth.ca.
Ideas will then be evaluated to ensure they meet the Smart City Challenge Competition criteria. Those that qualify will then be posted and the community will be invited to vote. The idea that receives the most votes will then form the basis of the Town's application for the Infrastructure Canada's Smart City Challenge.
When?
The Town of Yarmouth is currently accepting "Smart City" ideas from the public. Ideas will be accepted until Friday, February 9th, 2018.
The Town of Yarmouth will select the ideas that best meet the competition criteria. The public will be invited to vote on their favourite idea.
Where?
Ideas should focus on the Town of Yarmouth; however, any community structure is eligible for this competition, so if you have a good idea that involves the Town as well as another community, please share it!
Heritage Properties Incentive Program
The Town of Yarmouth has a Heritage Incentive Program in which Municipally Registered Heritage Properties located within the Town of Yarmouth are eligible for matched financial support for exterior conservation work.
This is an annual program in which owners of Town registered Heritage Properties may apply for 50% cost-sharing support from the Town to aid in exterior renovations to their property to an annual maximum of $2,000.
This program is administered by the Town’s Heritage Advisory Committee. Council has dedicated $7,000 annually to be distributed for this program. Property owners may apply for cost-sharing support once (1) per year and will be awarded funding up to twice in any five (5) year period.
Priority is given to applications:
For the preservation and restoration of historical structural and weatherproofing
elements over cosmetic improvements;- For publicly visible features;
- And/or Supported by a Building Conservation Plan that has been prepared by an
architect, building inspector, engineer or other qualified restoration professional.
A few recipients of previous grants were 225 Main Street, 37 Alma Street, 23 Clements & 3 Sycamore Street. Check out these beautiful homes and the work that has been done.
- pdf Municipal Heritage Incentive Program Application Form(163 KB)
- pdf Letter to Heritage Property Owners(199 KB)
- pdf Process and Timeline(60 KB)
Updates to the Heritage Property Act Heritage Property Act were made in December 2010.
Mayor's Welcome
Welcome to the Town of Yarmouth, our home on the edge of everywhere.
Yarmouth was founded in 1761, and over the generations, we've built a reputation for hard-working industry, warm hospitality and a deep sense of our shared history. Our roots in the ocean and the golden age of sail are all around us – from our historic waterfront and Victorian architecture to our marine industries and world-renowned seafood. Yarmouth has something for everyone, including a thriving cultural scene, an emerging digital industry and strong community ties.
At the same time, our Town is facing a number of challenges. As residents, businesses, and entrepreneurs, we're working together to meet every challenge that comes our way. Through our website, we hope to keep you up-to-date with what's happening in the Town, and how we can make a difference together.
On behalf of the Council and our administration, we hope you find our website, and our town, one you will want to visit time and time again.
For more information, please contact:
Mayor Pam Mood
(902) 742-2521
Jeff Gushue, C.A.O.
Phone: (902) 742-8565
Fax: (902) 742-6244
admin@townofyarmouth.ca
Town Buildings
Need to find Town Hall or our Visitor Information Centre? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a comprehensive list of the town buildings in Yarmouth you may be looking for, with addresses and contact info included. (We even included Google Maps!)
| Building | Address | Phone | Website | Google Maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Hall | 400 Main St, Yarmouth, NS B5A 1G2 | (902) 742-2521 | townofyarmouth.ca | Link |
| Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Tourism Association | 932 1 Hwy, Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 | (902) 307-2457 | yarmouthandacadianshores.com | Link |
| Yarmouth Ferry Terminal | 58 Water St, Yarmouth, NS B5A | townofyarmouth.ca/ferry-terminal-and-service.html | Link | |
| Yarmouth Fire Department | 221 Pleasant St, Yarmouth, NS B5A | (902) 742-7411 | townofyarmouth.ca/fire-services.html | Link |
| Yarmouth International Airport | 310 Forest St, Yarmouth, NS B5A 4A8 | (902) 742-6484 | yarmouthairport.ca | Link |
| Yarmouth Justice Centre | 164 Main St, Yarmouth, NS B5A 1C2 | (902) 742-0500 | Link | |
| Yarmouth Mariners Centre | 45 Jody Shelley Dr, Yarmouth, NS B5A 4R3 | (902) 742-2155 | marinerscentre.com/ | Link |
| Yarmouth Public Works | 227 Pleasant St, Yarmouth, NS B5A 2K2 | (902) 742-9423 | townofyarmouth.ca | Link |
| Yarmouth Recreation | 932 Highway 1, Hebron, NS B5A 5Z5 | (902) 742-8868 | yarmouthrecreation.ca | Link |
| Yarmouth Visitor Information Centre | 228 Main Street, Yarmouth, B5A 1C8 | (902) 742-5033 | yarmouthandacadianshores.com | Link |
| Yarmouth Waste Check | 309 Forest St, Yarmouth, NS B5A 4A8 | 1 800-569-0039 | wastecheck.ca | Link |

