BRAMPTON, ON (September 23, 2021) – The City of Brampton continues to take significant steps revitalizing its downtown, with Brampton Committee of Council yesterday approving a $16.6M investment in streetscaping work as part of the first phase of the City’s Integrated Downtown Plan (IDP).
Downtown Brampton is undergoing a transformation as the City continues to rethink and reinvent public spaces to meet local needs, support economic recovery, create jobs, and build vibrant, resilient communities to improve quality of life for Brampton residents. In full coordination with the Region of Peel’s downtown infrastructure work, the City will move forward with streetscaping initiatives that include replacing existing sidewalks with stone pavers and resurfacing roads with widened sidewalks on both sides of Queen and Main Streets. This approximately $16.6 million investment will serve to create quality urban spaces for commercial activity, pedestrians and cyclists and form active linkages between Etobicoke and Fletchers Creeks, and create an enhanced pedestrian realm in the downtown core.
Staff is directed to develop a Downtown Brampton Streetscape Manual to complement the approval of the IDP, which will inform the diverse local neighbourhoods within downtown Brampton.
Additionally, staff will conduct an 8-week Urban Design Activation Strategy to study development opportunities for temporary and long-term urban design activations in the downtown. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the installation of dedicated bike lanes on Main Street through the downtown, establishment of on-sidewalk movable planters and landscaping elements, semi-mountable curbs, street prints at crosswalks, and way-finding signs, and the installation of spare ducts within the construction to accommodate future fiber optics for telecommunications.
The City can begin engineering design immediately, with the design expected to be completed by early 2023. Brampton’s downtown business community has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the City is dedicated to minimizing disruptions and supporting them in their economic recovery.
The City also continues to determine short term strategies to support downtown vibrancy that can be implemented within the next two years. At its meeting yesterday, Committee approved the installation of murals, developed and proposed in consultation with STEPS, on City-owned storefronts in downtown Brampton and City and Regionally-owned traffic control boxes on Queen Street East. For more information on arts and culture in Brampton, visit www.brampton.ca
About the Integrated Downtown Plan
The IDP is a roadmap for action – coordinating downtown Brampton’s many ongoing initiatives and infrastructure projects. It is anticipated to guide future growth and strategic investment through 2051.
The guiding principles of the IDP are inclusivity, innovation and sustainability. It will help coordinate infrastructure upgrades, urban design, land use, and programming interventions - positioning Brampton as a pivotal economic driver, regional cultural hub, and Innovation District.
For more information on the IDP, visit www.brampton.ca/IDP
Quotes
“We’re working to revitalize and unlock the potential of downtown Brampton, and in approving this $16.6 million investment in streetscaping work as part of the first phase of the City’s Integrated Downtown Plan, we are yet another step closer to creating a quality urban space and an enhanced pedestrian realm in our downtown core. I look forward to witnessing downtown Brampton continue to transform into a vibrant and resilient community for our residents, businesses and visitors."
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“Our downtown businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are committed to supporting them in every way we can on their journey to economic recovery. This streetscaping project, along with complimentary short term strategies to support the downtown, will serve to position Brampton as an economic driver, regional cultural hub and Innovation District. We look forward to the benefits the Integrated Downtown Plan will bring to our downtown, residents and local businesses.””
- Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor, Wards 1&5; Chair, Public Works and Engineering, City of Brampton
“At the City, we are committed to revitalizing our downtown and creating complete communities for our residents to live, work and play. In moving forward with the first phase of our Integrated Downtown Plan, as well as complimentary initiatives like public art installations and an Urban Design Activation Strategy, we are rethinking and reinventing our public spaces to create jobs, support economic recovery and improve the quality of life of our residents.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton
“On behalf of the Downtown Brampton BIA, we were very pleased to hear the staff plans and projections on the much needed revitalization for downtown Brampton. We are very confident that our city planning and urban design experts will move forward with this fulsome revitalization plan as presented yesterday at Committee of Council.”
- Carrie Percival, Chair, Downtown Brampton BIA
“The Downtown Brampton BIA thanks Council for their leadership in this investment for the City of Brampton and the emerging Downtown Brampton Cultural Hub and Innovation District, which is the start of truly unlocking the potential for downtown.”
- Suzy Godefroy, Executive Director, Downtown Brampton BIA
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As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to more than 700,000 people and 75,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.
MEDIA CONTACT
Megan Ball
Senior Advisor, Media Relations, City of Brampton
905.874.2143 | megan.ball@brampton.ca
