Main Street Construction and Streetscape Project

The District of Muskoka, the Town of Huntsville, Huntsville/ Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce as well as the Downtown BIA are invested in ensuring that the community takes part in this construction process. For ease of communication, the District of Muskoka's engagemuskoka website will be the primary source of information regarding the construction and streetscape information.

Follow EngageMuskoka for updates on this project

Updates will be published on https://www.engagemuskoka.ca/huntsville-downtown-streetscaping

Project Background

The District of Muskoka has slated Main Street construction as a future project to address below street level water and sewage infrastructure. This presented the Town of Huntsville with an exciting opportunity to rethink and re-design Main Street and Kent Park; to reflect the wants and needs of our residents and visitors. Over a three day period in June 2018, the Town's consultant, the Planning Partnership Ltd. worked with community business owners and residents to develop a design concept for a future Main Street and Kent Park. Based on that community feedback, the consultant presented their recommended design concept as well as a project cost estimate at General Committee on June 27. The proposed Streetscape design highlights the following:

• A new gateway at Lorne Street and Main Street marks the entrance where a broad view of Downtown Huntsville unfolds.
• Crosswalks marked with special paving will ensure safe pedestrian crossings and a signal to vehicles to slow down while travelling on Main Street through Downtown.
• Both sides of Main Street have on-street parking in bays identified with special pavers that can also be locations for temporary café areas or extra seating in the summer.
• A new Town Square in front of the Town Hall and Theatre has special paving that extends from building face to building face. When Main Street is closed for the outstanding events held year-round in Downtown Huntsville, this area will be the heart of the festivities.
• Sidewalks will be lined with street trees that have room underground to stretch their roots, be aerated and watered, ensuring healthy, long lived trees.
• Muskoka chairs will be set out along the sidewalks of Main Street. "Muskoka Moments" featuring granite boulders and areas planted with alder, birch, conifers and dogwood, will bring the surrounding landscape onto Main Street.

In 2019, the District of Muskoka, along with the Town of Huntsville will commence the project planning stage and in 2020 aim to start construction to replace the aging and existing infrastructure and implement the streetscaping.