A pedestrian-first Gaukel Street

In summer of 2020, Gaukel Street was transformed to a pedestrian-first street and passive seating area. The pandemic has restricted opportunities for programming but the street continues to function as an enjoyable space for pedestrians, including a street art installation featuring Indigenous art. Feedback from previous surveys will continue to shape plans moving forward, as the space evolves and contributes to a vibrant downtown. Subscribe to this page to get updates and learn about future opportunities to give feedback on this project.

Background

In February 2019, a group of residents proposed the idea of converting Gaukel Street to a pedestrian-oriented street, after observing the closure of Gaukel for construction. They hosted a pop-up park in September 2019, to build support for a permanent transition to the street’s function. At the pop-up park, a survey was completed by 258 people, who either attended the event or were notified through a direct mailing to people living nearby. Read a full summary of that survey here.

Council directed staff to explore the potential to make Gaukel Street a pedestrian-oriented street, available for community events and initiatives. Through Engage Kitchener, we asked residents how you’d like to see Gaukel Street function, and what type of amenities can enhance Gaukel Street as a pedestrian and pubic space street, using ideas provided from people at the pop-up park.

Gaukel Street serves as a major pedestrian route, connecting Victoria Park, the ION LRT station, City Hall and the heart of downtown. Named after Freidrich Gaukel, an early 1800s tavern keeper and community leader, Gaukel Street is home to historical panel boards, the heritage protected Public Utilities Commission Building and is situated on the traditional territory home of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. The street is at the centre of a transforming downtown, with a prominent arts institution (44 Gaukel), tech offices and new condos contributing to the resurgence of downtown Kitchener, where people can live, work, shop and play.