Uptown Placemaking Grant Program

For the most part- YES! The Sidewalk Café & Parklet Grant and Street Beautification Grant are new for 2025, but the Uptown Activation Grant program started in 2023 focussing on Uptown Plaza pre-construction. Now that the Plaza is finished and there are some additional spaces to program in the area, there is more to activate!

No.  UBA’s role is to provide grant funding and share information with Organizers on where to apply for a City permit.

Grant amounts vary depending on the hard costs of project and in the case of activations- are meant to cover expenses such as insurance, permits, and operational expenses.

Uptown Activation Grant: requests up to $3000 depending on proposed budget, but organizers are encouraged to seek additional financial supports.

Sidewalk Café & Parklet Grant: Funds offered on a matching basis where UBA will provide 50% coverage of expenses up to a limit of $10,000.

Street Beautification Grant: Funds offered on a matching basis where UBA will provide 50% coverage of expenses up to a limit of $5000.

Yes, most likely. A permit from the City of New Westminster is needed if your activation takes place on or impacts city property like sidewalks, streets, and Uptown Plaza. A permit is also needed if you would like to set-up a patio, parklet, or add/change any building signage. Depending on your proposed project, a Street Occupancy Permit could be required. If your activation takes place on private property, like a building plaza, permission from the property owner would be required with paperwork that they request.

Applying for the permit is a separate process from applying for UBA grant funds. Find the City of New Westminster’s links below for your reference.

1. 2025_Community_Events_Application_Package.pdf and for Uptown Plaza Outdoor Event Space Form
2. Sign Permits | City of New Westminster
3. Patio Guidelines
4. Street Occupancy Permit | City of New Westminster

*Note that there is waiting period that varies before approval and receiving a City permit does not guarantee that you will also get grant funding from the UBA.

No, applications will be accepted starting September on an ongoing basis. Grant funds are available for 2025 and may be available into 2026 depending on the number of suitable applications, and remaining grant funds in the UBA budget.

Uptown Activation: This grant supports positive, community-based, inclusive, and barrier-free activities in publicly accessible spaces. Activities can be (but are not limited to being):

Passive sensory experiences that contribute to the ambiance of Uptown- such as an art exhibit, pop-up book exchange, live sketching, or self-directed walking tours.

Active experiences that encourage public participation- such as a free dance class, theater sports demonstration, craft market, performance, or board game tournament.

Sidewalk Café & Parklet: This grant supports the development of patios and parklets where installation is possible. A patio is usually a combination of chairs and tables for patrons, with fencing or planters that delineate patio space and sidewalk space. A parklet is usually a structure the size of a parking space with seating, either moveable or built-in, adjacent to food and beverage businesses for general public use.

Street Beautification: This grant supports exterior improvements to the businesses and organizations that have street-level store fronts. This could include painting, window décor, feature lighting, and extraordinary window displays.

The public spaces of Uptown are best suited to small and medium size activations, and events that are considered private or require a paid admission are outside of the program goals. Improvements to store fronts that do not enhance or provide quality additions to the exterior would not align with the program goals. Projects that are political in nature, have divisive or exclusive elements, or do not align with City policies are not a fit for this program.