Front Street – Thorold, ON
Front Street – Thorold, ON
In 2020, amid the challenges of a global pandemic, Thorold’s city council made the bold decision to move forward with a $3.9 million reconstruction of Front Street.
A Street with Stories to Tell
Front Street in Thorold, Ontario, carries a name that hints at its heritage – it once faced the Welland Canal in the 1800s. While its historic buildings survived a fire in 1866, by the early 2000s, it had fallen into decline. The street that once bustled with canal trade had become, in the words of local observers, “pretty dumpy.”
Fast forward to 2025, and Front Street tells a different story. The street has transformed into a destination that draws visitors from across the Niagara Region. This remarkable turnaround didn’t happen by chance – it required vision, careful planning, and a commitment to quality infrastructure, including state-of-the-art urban forestry solutions.
The Revitalization Project Included:
- Complete reconstruction of roads and sidewalks
- New sewer infrastructure
- Installation of 17 carefully planned trees
- Addition of bike racks, bollards and benches
- Enhanced landscaping
The Urban Forestry Approach
Central to the street’s transformation was the strategic integration of urban trees using GreenBlue Urban’s RootSpace soil cells. When faced with budget constraints during value engineering, the team made the pivotal decision to reduce the number of trees rather than compromise on the quality of growing conditions – representing the principle that “it’s better to plant one tree well than five trees poorly.”
The RootSpace 1200 system was deemed essential for several reasons:
- Providing optimal underground growing conditions and sufficient soil volume
- Protecting both tree roots and infrastructure
- Ensuring proper drainage while preventing soil compaction
- Modular components that can be configured around existing utilities
Installation of the soil cell system in August 2020.
The modular design is especially advantageous in historic urban areas, where it can be easily incorporated around existing utilities. This versatility is important because older underground services often follow historic patterns and can be unpredictable.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
In 2020, amid the challenges of a global pandemic, Thorold’s city council made the bold decision to move forward with a $3.9 million reconstruction of Front Street.
A Street with Stories to Tell
Front Street in Thorold, Ontario, carries a name that hints at its heritage – it once faced the Welland Canal in the 1800s. While its historic buildings survived a fire in 1866, by the early 2000s, it had fallen into decline. The street that once bustled with canal trade had become, in the words of local observers, “pretty dumpy.”
Fast forward to 2025, and Front Street tells a different story. The street has transformed into a destination that draws visitors from across the Niagara Region. This remarkable turnaround didn’t happen by chance – it required vision, careful planning, and a commitment to quality infrastructure, including state-of-the-art urban forestry solutions.
The Revitalization Project Included:
- Complete reconstruction of roads and sidewalks
- New sewer infrastructure
- Installation of 17 carefully planned trees
- Addition of bike racks, bollards and benches
- Enhanced landscaping
The Urban Forestry Approach
Central to the street’s transformation was the strategic integration of urban trees using GreenBlue Urban’s RootSpace soil cells. When faced with budget constraints during value engineering, the team made the pivotal decision to reduce the number of trees rather than compromise on the quality of growing conditions – representing the principle that “it’s better to plant one tree well than five trees poorly.”
The RootSpace 1200 system was deemed essential for several reasons:
- Providing optimal underground growing conditions and sufficient soil volume
- Protecting both tree roots and infrastructure
- Ensuring proper drainage while preventing soil compaction
- Modular components that can be configured around existing utilities
Installation of the soil cell system in August 2020.
The modular design is especially advantageous in historic urban areas, where it can be easily incorporated around existing utilities. This versatility is important because older underground services often follow historic patterns and can be unpredictable.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
The Results: A Downtown Renaissance
The transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Where people once feared to walk, Front Street now boasts:
- Bustling storefronts with restored historic facades
- A healthy tree canopy, providing shade, cooling, and natural beauty for pedestrians
- A vibrant mix of businesses, from ritzy salons to popular restaurants
- Upscale apartments drawing young professionals and students
Investment That Pays Off
The city’s commitment has already shown signs of paying off. The facelift has helped catalyze private investment in the area, with some pouring millions into building improvements. New local businesses have also been attracted to the enhanced streetscape, contributing to the economic boom in the area.
In July 2024, Front Street even caught the eye of television producers – serving as a filming location for the period drama ‘Murdoch Mysteries’. It’s a testament to how well the renovation preserved and enhanced the street’s historic charm.
The Results: A Downtown Renaissance
The transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Where people once feared to walk, Front Street now boasts:
- Bustling storefronts with restored historic facades
- A healthy tree canopy, providing shade, cooling, and natural beauty for pedestrians
- A vibrant mix of businesses, from ritzy salons to popular restaurants
- Upscale apartments drawing young professionals and students
Investment That Pays Off
The city’s commitment has already shown signs of paying off. The facelift has helped catalyze private investment in the area, with some pouring millions into building improvements. New local businesses have also been attracted to the enhanced streetscape, contributing to the economic boom in the area.
In July 2024, Front Street even caught the eye of television producers – serving as a filming location for the period drama ‘Murdoch Mysteries’. It’s a testament to how well the renovation preserved and enhanced the street’s historic charm.
Lessons for Other Communities
Thorold’s success offers valuable lessons for other municipalities:
- Quality over Quantity: Prioritize quality tree planting systems, even if it means fewer trees initially.
- Modular Green Infrastructure: Select flexible tree planting systems, like RootSpace, that can be easily fitted around existing utilities.
- Consistent Street Furnishings: matching bollards, bike racks, and benches give the street a cohesive, modern look.
- Heritage Preservation: Retain and restore historic architecture while modernizing pedestrian spaces to create a vibrant downtown that melds vintage charm with contemporary comfort.
Looking Forward
The decision to invest in proper tree planting infrastructure means these benefits will compound over time, contributing to the street’s vitality for generations to come.
The thoughtful balance of restored historic facades and upgraded streetscapes has breathed new life into downtown Thorold, attracting visitors eager to experience its unique blend of past and present. The story of Front Street shows that with the right vision, proper planning, and a commitment to quality infrastructure, even the most challenged downtown can experience a remarkable renewal.
Lessons for Other Communities
Thorold’s success offers valuable lessons for other municipalities:
- Quality over Quantity: Prioritize quality tree planting systems, even if it means fewer trees initially.
- Modular Green Infrastructure: Select flexible tree planting systems, like RootSpace, that can be easily fitted around existing utilities.
- Consistent Street Furnishings: matching bollards, bike racks, and benches give the street a cohesive, modern look.
- Heritage Preservation: Retain and restore historic architecture while modernizing pedestrian spaces to create a vibrant downtown that melds vintage charm with contemporary comfort.
Looking Forward
The decision to invest in proper tree planting infrastructure means these benefits will compound over time, contributing to the street’s vitality for generations to come.
The thoughtful balance of restored historic facades and upgraded streetscapes has breathed new life into downtown Thorold, attracting visitors eager to experience its unique blend of past and present. The story of Front Street shows that with the right vision, proper planning, and a commitment to quality infrastructure, even the most challenged downtown can experience a remarkable renewal.
