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The City of London’s Downtown Master Plan: Quick Start Actions are set to roll out this Spring, with additional actions already underway. Here’s a look at the key initiatives that will benefit our downtown and help address ongoing concerns, while aligning with our long-term vision for a revitalized downtown.
New Actions in the Downtown:
- Public Space Drug Strategy: Tackling downtown safety with increased police visibility and the launch of a new public space drug strategy.
- Municipal Law Enforcement Patrols: Starting Spring 2025, MLEOs will focus on proactive patrols addressing property damage, illegal dumping, and safety concerns.
- Transit-Oriented Development Incentives: A new $15,000 per-unit incentive for residential development along rapid transit links, encouraging growth in our core.
- Vacant Commercial Space Fit-Out Grant: This incentive will help activate vacant spaces and attract new businesses to the downtown area.
- Extended Public Washroom Hours: From 9 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week, including washrooms at Victoria Park and Dundas Place.
- Beautification of Dundas Place: More road closures for activations, public art initiatives, and an expanded role for local artists.
Key Ongoing Actions:
- CPTED Audits: Fifty new audits planned to improve safety and security.
- One-Hour Free Parking: Beginning April 1st, our downtown will offer free on-street parking through the HONK app for up to one hour (funded by leftover reserves).
- Enhanced Cleaning & Maintenance: $300K allocated to Downtown London BIA for graffiti removal, power washing, expanded cleaning, beautification and maintenance in support of members. The Clean Team has initiated power-washing for the 2025 season.
A Word from Our Board Chair, Kristin Nielsen:
“The City’s commitment to supporting downtown through strategic initiatives, such as the one-hour free parking via the HONK app, along with enhanced investments in cleaning and beautification, is a great addition for downtown. Downtown London BIA is proud to continue managing graffiti removal, power washing, expanded cleaning, and beautification in direct support of our members. We’re confident these efforts, combined with our ongoing work, will help revitalize our downtown and foster a thriving business community.”
Long-Term Vision: Moving Beyond Short-Term Solutions
As we work through these quick-start actions, it’s essential to emphasize that the Downtown Master Plan is not just a short-term solution. The plan is a 10-15 year roadmap that will address the long-term economic, social, cultural, and environmental goals for downtown. Our focus is on sustainable, lasting outcomes that will guide downtown development for generations to come.
It’s been over 25 years since the last long-term plan, and much has changed since the Millennium Plan of 1998, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Downtown London BIA has strongly advocated for a comprehensive, long-term plan to ensure our core reaches its full potential, with strategic goals that extend beyond a single City Council term and include necessary funding and resources. We believe that by working alongside the City, we can establish a stronger, more unified vision for downtown that fosters a renewed sense of community and creates a downtown where people love to live, work, learn, and visit.
Immediate Impact: Increased Resources for Cleaning and Beautification
In response to growing concerns about safety and cleanliness, particularly stemming from health and homelessness impacts, City Council has approved additional funding for our BIA, including $1.16 million in 2024. Of this, $225,000 was allocated to double our cleaning and maintenance efforts and over $277,000 was used for public realm beautification to enhance the downtown experience.
Further, in 2024, we provided $623,000 in grants for members to support storefront improvements, repairs due to vandalism, and safety upgrades. These expanded services directly reflect member feedback, ensuring that downtown’s streets remain clean, safe, and welcoming.
Downtown Momentum: A Growing Hub for Business and Culture
In 2024, downtown London hosted over 800 events that attracted more than 1.1 million people, resulting in an estimated $85 million economic impact. Since 2021, 61 new main street businesses have opened, and the daytime population at work has grown by 28%, showing that workers are returning to the office and downtown is becoming more vibrant each day.
We are proud to play an active role in downtown activations, supporting over 800 community-organized events each year. Our efforts include promoting and sponsoring events, creating downtown trails, and organizing exciting holiday events under the Downtown for the Holidays brand. In 2024 alone, we distributed over $75,000 in Downtown Gift Cards, driving more foot traffic and encouraging spending at local businesses.
What’s Next?
- Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee Meeting: The Downtown Master Plan will move forward for discussion at the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on March 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Council Chambers. The full report can be viewed online HERE.
- No Impact on 2025-2027 City Budget: The work plan to initiate the Downtown Quick-Start Actions has been designed to ensure no future impact on Council’s 2025-2027 multi-year budget.
- No impact on the Downtown London BIA Levy: This plan will also have no impact on the current Downtown London levy.
- Ongoing Member Support: We remain committed to collaborating with the City and partners to ensure downtown’s revitalization benefits all stakeholders – from businesses to residents.
We look forward to your continued involvement as these plans unfold! If you have any questions or would like to discuss these updates further, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can provide direct feedback for the Downtown Master Plan to the City of London via the GetInvolved website. Visit https://getinvolved.london.ca/downtown-master-plan to ask questions or provide feedback. |
