Introduction
Williamsville, in the upper portion of downtown Kingston, is home to numerous businesses and residents alike, which in turn gives this neighbourhood its lively atmosphere. Ensuring the voices of all those in the district are heard, the Williamsville Neighbourhood Association was established to hear concerns, implement improvements, and advocate for those in the neighbourhood as the area grows and evolves.
Geography
Located in Kingston Central, Williamsville is bounded by Concession Street to the north, Division Street to the east and Princess Street to the southwest. Surrounding neighbourhoods include Queen’s, Sunnyside, Alcan, Kingscourt and Inner Harbour.
Minutes from the hub of Kingston downtown activity, the neighbourhood offers a convenient location while providing residents with a fair amount of green space in the form of two parks; an optimal blend.
History
The neighbourhood has been an integral part of the downtown area for many years and has seen significant development in the past few years as the city seeks to improve and revitalize the area. Recently, the “Williamsville Main Street Reconstruction Project” has sought to improve the infrastructure and curb appeal of the area through an 8.3 million dollar initiative.
While a majority of the dwellings were constructed in the 1980s or before, the neighbourhood has recently seen growth and development as new homes are constructed within the area to match the other economic and infrastructural development of the area.
Demographics
As of the most recent census, the population of the neighbourhood is 2,325, in approximately 1,240 dwellings. The neighbourhood does skew to younger residents, with the largest portion aged 20-24 due to the proximity to Queen’s University; however, there are still a fair portion of residents aged 30-59 who call the space home, enjoying the convenient location and reasonable prices.
The largest portion of dwellings are found within apartments, fewer than 5 stories, followed by single detached homes. The neighbourhood offers a wide variety of dwelling types and price points; ensuring home-seeker’s can find the home that suits their needs.
Notable Surroundings
Due to its proximity to the downtown core, the neighbourhood provides access to numerous Kingston businesses, ranging from shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Within the neighbourhood itself, the Kingston Memorial Centre Arena acts as the sports arena year round and offers other amenities such as community meeting rooms, a water park, and a dog park.
Also within the neighbourhood, there are various churches and a childcare center; the area really does have it all. A quick walk down the street is the Kingston waterfront, where all can partake in the numerous festivals held downtown throughout the year.
Check It Out
With its convenient location, numerous amenities and activities, recent development, and wide range of homes and price points, Williamsville is a promising neighbourhood with a lot to offer.