Construction has begun on the permanent Uptown Plaza and Sixth Street Public Realm Improvements in New Westminster, with work scheduled to start the week of February 24, 2025. The project is expected to take approximately six months, depending on weather conditions.

The construction zone will cover Sixth Street between Belmont Street and Sixth Avenue, as well as Belmont Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with potential Saturday work from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

While efforts will be made to minimize disruptions, temporary changes to traffic, transit, and pedestrian access will be necessary for safety. The southbound bus stop at Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue (Stop ID 52420) will be relocated to Sixth Street and Princess Street for the duration of the project. Drivers and pedestrians are advised to follow posted signs and traffic control instructions.

The project aims to transform the area into a more welcoming and accessible space, aligning with the City’s Uptown Streetscape Vision (2020). Planned improvements include expanded pedestrian areas, enhanced accessibility, designated seating areas, and flexible spaces for parking and events. Additionally, 26 new trees will be planted, replacing 21 aging trees that would not have survived the construction.

Public input gathered between 2021 and 2023 helped shape the final design. The interim Uptown Plaza, which was installed in 2023, is now closed, and updates on construction impacts can be found on the city’s Roadworks & Construction page.

For more details or inquiries, residents can contact the city at [email protected].

Read the full city report here

⚕️ Advocates Urge Compassion in Debate Over New West Drug Prevention Services

The New Westminster Homelessness Coalition is urging the community to support indoor inhalation services as part of a broader strategy to address the intersecting crises of homelessness, addiction, and mental health.

At a February 24 council meeting, the City of New Westminster approved a five-year prevention, support, and transition services plan, along with a 10-year supportive housing and wraparound services plan. As part of this effort, the city will advocate for the addition of an indoor inhalation site within the existing overdose prevention facility downtown.

Why an Indoor Inhalation Site?

Jack York, board chair of the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society, emphasized the urgent need for the facility. According to data from the BC Coroners Service, 67% of overdose deaths in 2024 were linked to drug inhalation—far surpassing ingestion-related fatalities.

York highlighted that safe inhalation sites exist in other jurisdictions and have been proven to save lives. However, expecting individuals to travel outside their communities to access such services is unrealistic.

"People need access to these services where they live," York stated, stressing that without a safe space, individuals will continue using drugs in public areas—an outcome that benefits neither substance users nor the broader community.

Addressing Community Concerns

While some downtown residents and businesses have raised concerns about expanding harm-reduction services in the area, York challenged the notion that these efforts take priority over recovery-based solutions. Instead, he argued that harm reduction and recovery work hand in hand—with overdose prevention sites serving as a crucial first step to connect individuals with treatment and support.

The New Westminster crisis response pilot project also calls for a resource centre for unhoused individuals, providing them with a daytime shelter when overnight facilities are closed. York emphasized that these initiatives are not just about helping substance users, but about improving the community.

A Public Health Emergency

Since 2016, more than 16,000 people in B.C. have died from unregulated drug toxicity, and York urged the council to act with urgency. He pointed out that society responds far more aggressively to other public health threats, whereas the overdose crisis continues to be met with hesitation and political debate.

York concluded by calling for compassion, evidence-based solutions, and decisive action. The city’s next step will be advocating to the Ministry of Health and Fraser Health Authority for the establishment of an indoor inhalation space in New Westminster.

Read the full article here.

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🔥 Boil the hell out of it and let it rain down. 🌧️

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Uptown Plaza Construction + Homeless Coalition

Issue #154

Inside the New West Spotlight

Read New West Spotlight Online

February 27, 2025

February 28, 2025

March 01, 2025

⛔️ Traffic Changes Ahead as Uptown Plaza Construction Begins