Concern about the future of Collingwood’s central business district began to emerge in the 1960s. From 1967 to 1969 the Collingwood Chamber of Commerce tried an English idea called the “Norwich Plan,” which called on store operators to voluntarily upgrade their shop fronts for the mutual benefit of the community. The Chamber hired architects Carswell and Griesbach to prepare a coloured design for much of the shopping area, but few merchants complied with the plan.

In 1970 the Town completed a comprehensive urban study called The Read Voorhees Report, which indicated the six downtown blocks as the main shopping area, which would evolve as a mall or plaza. The downtown merchants successfully fought at the Ontario Municipal Board in October of 1976 against Town Council’s approval of a shopping mall on Highway 26 next to L.O.F. Glass. In the same month, the Chamber of Commerce convened a meeting chaired by Mr. Ron Emo to investigate the formation of a Business Improvement Area (B.I.A.), as was allowed under the new Municipal Act. The Act allows businesses within a B.I.A. to voluntarily raise their business taxes, the funds to be dedicated to promotion and physical improvements to public property within the area.

A steering committee was formed and, after much consultation with businesses, all six northern blocks of Hurontario Street were officially designated a B.I.A. on July 13, 1977. Over the next three years, with much public debate and hard work, the reconstruction of Hurontario Street from Fourth Street to First Street was planned and executed. The Business Improvement Area was named “The Promenade” in 1978, and officially opened in October 1980. The new streetscape included lights, sidewalk pavers, seats, piped music, flag poles and banners.

Recognizing The Value Of Heritage

Parallel with the B.I.A. work, and involving many of the same people, an awareness of the value of the architectural heritage resources in Collingwood began to grow. After studies and discussions among interested citizens, by-law 78-31 established the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC). Under the Ontario Heritage Act, the LACAC advises the Town Council on conservation of heritage resources, particularly regarding designations. Under Part IV of the Act, individual properties may be designated as having historical or architectural value or interest, and under Part V, all or part of the municipality may be designated as a Heritage Conservation District.

In 1980, the Town made use of the Ontario Association of Architects’ “Community Assist for an Urban Study Effort” (CAUSE). This program is an intense four-to-five-day effort of public input research, brainstorming and design, resulting in the presentation of a report at a public meeting, where the recommendations are explained. A copy of the CAUSE report is in the Collingwood Library. It is interesting to note that amog its recommendations are “ … that work and studies leading to the eventual designation of the B.I.A. as a Heritage District be undertaken.” And that the Town “…develop a sign by-law regulating maximum mounting height, type and colour.”

In November 1980, the B.I.A. commissioned a study by restoration architect Peter John Stokes, “Architectural Survey and Recommendations for Treatment of Buildings on the Promenade of Hurontario Street and Neighbouring Streets.”

The Collingwood LACAC was busy and active in its first years, initiating an inventory of heritage buildings throughout the town in 1978, and beginning to designate business and residential properties. At that time, provincial funding was available to assist restoration work on designated heritage buildings, which served as an encouragement for property owners to seek designation. When this funding program lapsed, enthusiasm for designation waned. And, as is often the case, the initial efforts of heritage activists required some time to generate broad acceptance. The loss of the designated Doctor’s House at 18 Ste. Marie Street in 1983 was a discouraging low point, but the Council continued the LACAC, and heritage concerns continued to quietly grow. Recognition by the B.I.A. of the commercial value of the Town’s heritage resources, particularly in the growing tourism sector, played an important part. The Sign By-Law 98-75 reinforced the heritage character of the Downtown Core.

The longest Ontario Municipal Board hearing on record, concerning Collingwood’s Official Plan Amendment 37, brought the heritage issue back to the fore. Section 3.9.1.r. of OPA 37 states, “Council supports the designation of the Downtown Core as a Heritage District within the definition of The Ontario Heritage Act.” Subsequent work by LACAC prepared the ground for initiating the District. (LACAC history is based on author’s discussions with LACAC members.) Twenty-five years of effort has implanted heritage consciousness in Collingwood’s citizens, as borne out in Blueprint Collingwood, published by the Collingwood Vision 2020 Committee in October, 2000. This document, based on a mailed survey and subsequent citizen workshops, explicitly calls for Town initiatives to protect and enhance Collingwood’s heritage element.

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