03-13-2015, 03:12 PM
Are there other areas in the Region that offer this kind of living? Unless the commercial is a destination draw from outside the neighbourhood or the project is fully built out, there may not be enough traffic (foot, bike, transit or car) to sustain commercial uses at the moment. The developer (or final property owner) may not be keen to see that space empty. Putting ground floor commercial in the area around the Universities, where there is already a certain amount of foot traffic (not to mention a constantly rotating group of 'new' customers) would make it easier to launch walk-up retail.
Perhaps a first step would be to encourage ground floor spaces in multi-storey buildings that are suitable for either residential or commercial uses (consider how many houses in the downtown cores have been transformed into commercial uses). Once the foot traffic increases, a residential unit could convert to commercial. Live-work units could be a gateway to more established commercial.
Perhaps a first step would be to encourage ground floor spaces in multi-storey buildings that are suitable for either residential or commercial uses (consider how many houses in the downtown cores have been transformed into commercial uses). Once the foot traffic increases, a residential unit could convert to commercial. Live-work units could be a gateway to more established commercial.