Editing Newmarket, Ontario (section)

=== Main Street Heritage Conservation District ===
[[File:Summer in the Park, Newmarket, Ontario (4287849290).jpg|alt=|thumb|Summer in the Park in Newmarket]]
[[Image:Historic Main Street Newmarket.jpg|thumb|Historic Main Street in Newmarket]]

For over 100 years, the town's downtown area, centred around Main Street, has acted as a hub of commerce and cultural activity. This area contains numerous early 19th century buildings worthy of preservation, and in October 2013, this area was recognized as a Provincial [[Heritage Conservation District]].<ref>{{cite web |title=List of Heritage Conservation Districts |url=http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/heritage/heritage_conserving_list.shtml |website=Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport |publisher=Government of Ontario |access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref> This status serves to protect and officially recognize many of the heritage sites and buildings along this historic thoroughfare and its many side streets.

Recent investments have been made to improve the aesthetics and function of the historic area. These include:
* In 2003, Newmarket completed approximately $3 million of streetscape and infrastructure improvements along Main Street South.
* In 2010, construction began on the [[Davis Drive Rapidway]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dale's Summer update |url=http://www.vivanext.com/blog/2010/08/23/dales-summer-update/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910061425/http://www.vivanext.com/blog/2010/08/23/dales-summer-update/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2010 |website=VivaNext |access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref> The project was finished in 2015.<ref name=project_map/> The buildings comprising the Union Hotel, dating from 1881, at the intersection of Main Street and Davis Drive were moved as an alternative to being demolished.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/03/29/davis-drive-bus-lane-project-driving-supporters-away.html|title=Newmarket bus lane project driving supporters away|last=Javed|first=Noor|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|date=29 March 2015|access-date=10 September 2015}}</ref> 
* In 2011, an urban park called "Riverwalk Commons" was created east of Main Street South, north of Water Street at a cost of $10 million.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Persico |first1=Amanda |title=Rethinking Park Space |url=https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/6726971-rethinking-park-space/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803184356/https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/6726971-rethinking-park-space/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2019 |website=YorkRegion.com |publisher=TorStar |access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref>
* In 2011, extensive renovations were completed to the Newmarket Community Centre & Lions Hall, located in the Riverwalk Commons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Latchford |first1=Teresa |title=Newmarket Lions secures new den |url=https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/1453136-newmarket-lions-secures-new-den/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803183947/https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/1453136-newmarket-lions-secures-new-den/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2019 |website=YorkRegion.com |publisher=TorStar |access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref>
* In 2016, extensive $10 million renovations were completed on Old Town Hall, off Main Street.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Simon |first1=Chris |title=Newmarket's 'Fabulous' Old Town Hall renovation unveiled {{!}} YorkRegion.com |url=https://www.yorkregion.com/community-story/6870171-newmarket-s-fabulous-old-town-hall-renovation-unveiled/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323041358/https://www.yorkregion.com/community-story/6870171-newmarket-s-fabulous-old-town-hall-renovation-unveiled/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 March 2019 |website=Newmarket Era |access-date=1 August 2019 |date=23 March 2019}}</ref>