Public Realm Investment Program

Submissions for the 2024 Public Realm Investment Program are open.

Apply for the Public Realm Investment Program

Established in 2016, the Public Realm Investment Program enables Niagara Region to partner and support local municipalities on capital projects that provide important public enhancements across 250 kilometres of Regional roads.

The enhancement of streetscapes attracts investment and creates vibrant public spaces that sustain businesses, improve transportation and celebrate community. People enjoy well-designed places that are inclusive and accessible. Attractive and vibrant places offer a higher quality of life to residents and visitors.

The program offers funding for over 40 different enhancements in categories such as:

• Hardscaping
• Complete streets infrastructure
• Road crossing measures
• Street furniture
• Landscaping
• Community identity and wayfinding
• Environmental sustainability

Summary of funding partnerships and contributions

• 2023

  Lincoln
  Jordan Village Streetscaping (Phase 2),
  contributes to the transformation of Jordan Village as a premier destination in the Town of Lincoln. Streetscape enhancements to active transportation facilities, flexible street/plaza space, decorative pavers, wayfinding, street trees, planting beds, planting containers, street furnishings, gateways, placemaking elements, banners, decorative seasonal lighting and street lighting. ($134,000)

  Niagara-on-the-Lake
  First of its kind in Ontario, the diverging diamond intersection at Glendale Avenue includes a new roundabout that is a prominent and lushly landscaped gateway telling the story of agriculture. ($140,000)

  Lincoln
  This is the first partnership with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. The Rockway Conservation Area and the Niagara Bruce Trail enhancement will provide more trees, cycling and pedestrian facilities better accessibility and wayfinding. ($26,000)

  Port Colborne
  Phase 2 of the funding will be directed to streetscape enhancements along Killaly Street and includes street trees, decorative metal fence and gates, decorative lighting, artistic mural, decorative entrance gate for placemaking element. Lions Club members are also contributing funding to the city. ($50,000)

• 2022

  Lincoln
  Jordan Village Streetscape at 19th Street, Main Street and King Street (RR81). Streetscape enhancements such as enhanced active transportation facilities, flexible street/plaza space, decorative pavers, wayfinding, street trees, planting beds, planters, street furnishings, placemaking elements, banners, decorative seasonal lighting and street lighting. ($100,000)

  Niagara Falls
  Lundy's Lane (RR 20) Streetscape at OPG Canal Bridge. Streetscape enhancements along bridge, such as enhanced active transportation facilities, decorative fencing, placemaking elements, street furnishings, plant material, banners, decorative seasonal lighting and street lighting. ($30,000)

  Niagara-on-the-Lake
  Niagara Stone Road (RR 55) Streetscape in Virgil. Streetscape enhancements, such as enhanced active transportation facilities, street trees, plant material, street furnishings, placemaking elements, banners, decorative seasonal lighting, street lighting and burial of some overhead utilities. ($120,000)

  Port Colborne
  Lions Field Streetscape at 120 Killaly Street West (RR5). Streetscape enhancements, such as decorative metal fence and gates, shade trees, and a placemaking element, such as a gateway. ($45,000)

  Welland
  Downtown Parkette at 12 East Main Street (RR27). Parkette enhancements such as site furnishings, plaza space, decorative pavers, plant material, placemaking elements, decorative lighting and public art installations. ($55,000)

• 2021

  Lincoln
  Downtown Beamsville Beautification Projects: A number of landscaping enhancement, public art and tourism related installations along Ontario Street (RR18) and King Street (RR81). ($31,000)

  Jordan Hollow Cultural Park: Elements include Indigenous public art installations, rain gardens, rest areas, elements to support active transportation (bike parking and repair station), landscaping and wayfinding, gateway and interpretative signage adjacent King Street (RR81). ($83,000)

  Niagara Falls
  Canada Summer Games Project at Oakes Park, Morrison Street and Stanley Avenue (RR102): Enhancements to the spectator and public plazas at the park including a new shade structure, new picnic/seating areas, benches, accessible picnic tables, signage and landscaping. ($25,000)

  Pelham
  Enhanced tree planting along the new multi-use trail and benches adjacent to Rice Road (RR54) to enhance previous funding for rest areas at major intersections. ($10,000)

  Canada Summer Games Project - The Arches in Fonthill: Funding enhancements to the arches replacement project, including shade structures and lighting. This area is home to the cycling road race venue. ($30,000)

  St. Catharines
  Greening projects, including tree planting in the medians along Fourth Avenue (RR77) from Third Street Louth to Vansickle Road. It also includes the refurbishment of the gateway feature along Lakeshore Road (RR87) at Bunting Road with plant material species and active transportation elements. ($35,000)

  Canada Summer Games Project - Yukon House: Creation of a 13-for-13 cultural event for the Games, including public art, seating, a shade structure and other elements at the corner of James Street and St. Paul Street (RR81). ($10,000)

  Thorold
  Installation of a rest area, street furniture and landscaping at key points along the south side of St. David's Road (RR71) to complement the multi-use pathway. ($26,000)

• 2020
  Lincoln
  Landscaping enhancements, public art and tourism related installations along Ontario Street (RR18) and King Street (RR81). ($31,000)

  Install Indigenous public art, rain gardens, rest areas, elements to support active transportation (bike parking and repair station), landscaping, wayfinding, gateway and interpretative signage next to King Street (RR81) at Jordan Hollow Cultural Park. ($83,000)

  Niagara Falls
  Improve the spectator and public plazas at Oakes Park to support the Canada Summer Games, including a new shade structure, new picnic / seating areas, benches, accessible picnic tables, signage and landscaping. ($25,000)

  Pelham
  Enhanced the new multi-use trail with tree planting and benches next to Rice Road (RR54). ($30,000)

  Funding requested to support enhancements to the Pelham Arches replacement project, including shade structures and lighting. This area is home to the Cycling Road Race venue for the Canada Summer Games. ($10,000)

  St. Catharines
  Tree planting along Martindale Road (RR38) at Welland Vale Road, and refurbishment of the gateway feature along Lakeshore Road (RR87) at Bunting Road with native plants species and active transportation elements. ($35,000)

  Helped in the creation of a 13 for 13 cultural event for the Canada Summer Games, including public art, seating, shade structure and other elements at the corner of James and St. Paul streets. ($10,000)
• 2019

  Pelham
  Enhanced seating area located in front of the storm water management pond near the intersection of Port Robinson Road and Rice Road (RR54). ($30,000)

  Welland
  Providing additional accessible elements at the Civic Square, and future enhancements at Hellems Street parkette at Main Street. ($20,000)

  West Lincoln
  Streetscape enhancements, roundabout enhancements, and a parkette at the corner of Griffin and West streets; additional decorative lighting and burial of associated overhead infrastructure ($100,000)

• 2018

  Grimsby
  Provided funding to help with replacement of refuse containers on Main Street (RR81). ($5,000)

  Lincoln
  Completed landscape improvements along King Street. ($15,000)

  Niagara Falls
  Additional Lundy's Lane streetscape enhancements, including street furniture, enhanced bus shelters, gateway features and lighting that are under construction. ($100,000)

  Welland
  Planned enhancements of the Welland Civic Square, specifically in regards to enhancing the direct interface of the Civic Square with the streetscape condition along East Main Street (RR27). ($30,000)

  West Lincoln
  Helped with the design and construction of the Smithville parkette at the corner of St. Catharines and Brock streets. The parkette is under construction and expected to be completed in 2020. ($100,000)

• 2017

  Pelham
  Enhanced seating area in front of the storm water management pond near the intersection of RR20 and RR54, pending construction. ($12,000)

  St. Catharines
  Enhanced the new parkette at the intersections of Niagara and Geneva streets (RR46 and RR48). The parkette will feature paving treatments, landscaping, seating, public art and lighting. The parkette is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2020. ($100,000)

  Welland
  Helped with the construction of the multi-use path along Prince Charles Drive (RR54) and contributed to the installation of new trees, benches, garbage containers and wayfinding. ($100,000)

  West Lincoln
  Provided banner arms and basket arms along Griffin Street West, replaced the season's greetings sign and heritage mural at the Murgatroyd Building seating areas, installed a new wayfinding sign and seating enhancements to the landscaping of the new public parking area along West Street. ($38,000)

• 2016

  Fort Erie
  Provided funding to help with the installation of two transit shelters in close proximity to the Central Avenue and Jarvis Street intersection. ($17,000)

  Grimsby
  Replaced trees in the downtown and installed irrigated pits to encourage growth. ($22,000)

  Lincoln
  Completed streetscape enhancements (landscape and seating areas) along King and Main streets. ($60,000)

  Niagara Falls
  Completed streetscape enhancements, including benches, other site furniture and utility box wraps along Lundy’s Lane. ($29,310)

  Welland
  Completed the canoe public art piece and historical bell relocation at Civic Square and completed enhancements to the street interface at the Welland Farmer's Market. ($69,190)

  West Lincoln
  Completed streetscape improvements along Griffin Street North in downtown Smithville, including decorative paving, tree planting and site furniture. ($42,500)