City Council Approves Downtown Brantford Priority Plan: 2023 Update

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BRANTFORD, ON: At their City Council meeting held October 24, 2023, Brantford City Council of Brantford approved the Downtown Brantford Priority Plan: 2023 Update, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing revitalization of the downtown core and setting the stage for a more vibrant, inclusive, and secure urban center.

The Downtown Brantford Priority Plan, originally approved in April 2022, outlined 18 key priorities within three essential focus areas: Safety and Security, Inclusion and Support, and Growth and Vibrancy. Since its approval, substantial progress has been made to bring these priorities to life, as detailed in the Downtown Brantford Progress Report.

Key accomplishments include:

  • The successful launch of the Brantford Bulldogs OHL Hockey Team.
  • Approval for the co-funding of a downtown Cultural Hub with Wilfrid Laurier University.
  • The establishment of a Downtown Ambassador position.
  • The launch of the Laurier Hub for Community Solutions.
  • Enhanced response to encampments, ensuring safety and support for all residents.

The City of Brantford remains steadfast in its commitment to the revitalization of the downtown area, with the aim of making it a welcoming, thriving community for residents and visitors alike. To further this goal, the City Council has appointed Councillor Mandy Samwell as the Downtown Revitalization Champion. In her new role, Councillor Samwell will collaborate with the project team to enhance public awareness and enthusiasm for upcoming initiatives, which are part of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal.

Councillor Mandy Samwell expressed her enthusiasm and commitment to the initiative, saying, "I am pleased to champion this initiative and look forward to working closely with the community and the project team to make downtown Brantford a vibrant and inclusive urban center for everyone."  

"The appointment of Councillor Mandy Samwell as the Downtown Revitalization Champion is a testament to our commitment to the revitalization of our downtown," said Mayor Kevin Davis. "We believe that her leadership will play a crucial role in fostering community engagement and ensuring the success of our downtown revitalization efforts."  

I am pleased to see Council's approval of the Downtown Brantford Priority Plan: 2023 Update, which marks a significant step towards our vision of a more vibrant, inclusive, and secure downtown,” says Barb Sutherland, Chair of the Downtown Brantford BIA. “With a focus on social supports, economic development, programming, and safety and security, together, we are closer to achieving our goal of transforming our downtown into a thriving city centre.”

The revitalization of downtown Brantford aligns with the Ontario Mainstreet Revitalization Initiative, which has been a guiding force for this transformation. With over 1,800 new residential units receiving planning approval in the Urban Growth Centre, this project stands as a testament to the City's dedication to sustainable growth.

The Downtown Brantford Revitalization project has transitioned to the detailed design phase following the approval of the Downtown Brantford Streetscape EA Final Report. During this phase, staff will work closely with the Downtown Revitalization Champion and other stakeholders to engage the community and shape the final design of the downtown infrastructure.

As the plan progresses, staff will provide regular updates to Council, summarizing completed, in-progress, and ongoing activities in support of the Downtown Brantford Priority Plan.

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Media Contact: 

Maria Visocchi Director, Communications, Community Engagement and Customer Service
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

 

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