Abbotsford needs a true downtown: Mayor Henry Braun

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braunsays it's time to re-think how his city is expanding as rural roots are giving way to a more urban landscape and the populationis expected to eclipse 200,000in the near future.

Braun saiddeveloping a true downtown core in the city ishigh on hispriority list.

"We don't have a city centre. We have a historic downtown city centre, but where is the heart of the city? If you ask ten people, you'll get six different answers," he said.

"We're kind of a sprawled-out city. Many cities are. This isn't unique toAbbotsford. There are thousands of cities like this in North America. But the people have told us they want a city centre. We don't have a city centre."

Thinking big

The city has launched an initiative calledAbbotsforwardwhichwill map out how the community grows in the coming decades, includingmore bike paths andwalkablecommunities and less sprawl, and to helpwith thatvision,Abbotsfordhas recruited Vancouver's former top plannerBrentToderian.

"The answer seems to be the community really wants the city to have a real city centre," he said."It wants it to make walking, biking and transit delightful. Not just available, but delightful."

Here are Abbotsforward'sseven big ideas.

The mayor acknowledges it will take some time to transform his vision into a reality and it might take some convincing.

Greg Taylor, anAbbotsfordbusiness owner, likes this downtown historic district just as it is.

"I think more density kind of kills the downtown vibe. Then, what's the difference of downtown here compared to South Fraser Way that is more dense?