Downtown Revitalization
Since incorporating in 1992, Council has invested in beautifying the City of Langford: where once there were bare gravel shoulders, streets are now edged with red brick pathways and floral boulevards. Since the change, new businesses and residential developments have poured into beautified areas such as the downtown core along Goldstream Avenue and the business district of Millstream Village.
One of Council's long-term goals is to improve liveability through conscious investment in key districts in Langford. A set of design guidelines were generated in 1999 to direct prospective developers through City of Langford's vision: the Downtown Revitalization Plan. This plan is now is an integral part of the Official Community Plan (OCP) [PDF - 11.1 MB]. This investment attracts businesses and families to the City, which further benefits both residents and business owners through an increased tax base.
As a result of Council's commitment to community and business development, the downtown core has transformed into an attractive central district. Amenities and residential complexes have increased substantially since investment began: Chevron and Co-Op gas stations, the drive-thru Starbucks at Langford Centre, The Goldstream Station complex that includes The Metro and Station House Pub; and the condominium developments of McConnell Place, The Strathmore, EVO West, the assisted living/condo complex of Lavender Square, and the Jesken Aerie subsidized family housing apartment building. Langford's City Hall, residing in a new three-storey commercial building in the heart of downtown, can be counted among these inspired developments.
Beyond the beautification of the streets, City of Langford has brought their investment expertise to community grounds and service facilities such as Veterans' Memorial Park, a significant civic park with a "tot lot," basketball court, and summer Sunday concerts. The Crossroads Park, a small urban plaza great for lunch breaks, is next to the Westshore RCMP building, which the City of Langford also contributed funds to expand.
In the parks and along the streets, Council has invested in the civic tradition of public art with a number of statues: Goldie the Goldminer outside City Hall, Alice in Wonderland's White Rabbit outside the Goudy Library, the Dog outside Valentine Place on Peatt Road, the old woman and child at Lavender Square, the police officer and child at Crossroads Park, and the veteran and teenager at Veterans' Memorial Park.
Through Council's guidance, Langford's take on West Coast architecture has been an award-winning success. River rock facades and sturdy, exposed timbers echo Langford's natural beauty while crisp, modern lines show a community on the cutting-edge. Instead of concrete slabs, Langford's sidewalks are red brick and bordered by flowerbeds that give a vibrant splash of colour to the streetscape. Lighting your path are custom-designed streetlamps, painted in the City of Langford's signature burgundy, from which hang community banners, flower baskets, and holiday lights that reflect the season.
Langford is an exciting blend of commerce and homes where you can build your business and live your lifestyle.
Beautification Awards
- Planning Institute of British Columbia Awards of Excellence
- 2009 - Jointly Developed Official Community Plan
- 2008 - Downtown Revitalization Plan
- Communities in Bloom awarded the City of Langford six consecutive times from 2003-2008.