Latest news with #EdLandry
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Sudbury hosts public sessions for Downtown Master Plan
Greater Sudbury hosted two sessions Wednesday at Tom Davies Square to get the public's opinion on the Downtown Master Plan. Greater Sudbury hosted two sessions Wednesday to get the public's opinion on the Downtown Master Plan. The first took place from 1-3 p.m. at Tom Davies Square, where attendees had the chance to fill out surveys and look at maps showcasing 50 different ideas. 'In March, we did what's called a downtown visioning session,' said Ed Landry, senior planner with the city. 'And we unveiled a new vision and new strategies associated with the downtown master plan or downtown for the next 30 years. We started getting into some of the projects that people were looking forward to seeing in the downtown. And so today's sessions are really about that.' Site selected for events centre Since the March session, Landry said some decisions have been made for some of the projects, such as the location of the new events centre. 'And so what do we place around that? So we're interested to hear from, people's thoughts on that,' he said. 'Also, we've got a new cultural hub that'll be located in this building ... how do we react to that?' Gary Petrian and Sheila Kelly-Petrian, who have lived in Sudbury all their lives, attended the session to see plans for the downtown's future. 'Seeing some developments and some positive developments down here, I think is crucial.' — Sheila Kelly-Petrian 'We live in the area. We love the area. It's the historic centre of Sudbury,' Kelly-Petrian said. 'So seeing some developments and some positive developments down here, I think is crucial.' Petrian said he supported the new events centre being located downtown. 'I really like the Sudbury Arena is going to stay downtown and it's a big drawing point. We can build from there,' he said. 'Also, (Elm Place) is also now being occupied much better with the farmers market and things like that.' Susan Levesque, fundraising and fund development officer with the Art Gallery of Sudbury, said she's excited about the new Cultural Hub, which will serve as the new home for the gallery. 'We're part of the Cultural Hub, which is one of the items on the master plan,' Levesque said. 'In 2027, we will open in the provincial building, which is 199 Larch St. We will have five office floors. So that's exciting -- and we cannot wait to make that transition.' Levesque said the art gallery will be renamed the Franklin Carmichael Art Gallery of Sudbury. 'We are very honoured to receive, several works from his family, which is wonderful,' she said. 'And we can't wait to exhibit those works in the near future.' Jeff MacIntyre, Downtown Sudbury executive director, said he's seeing a lot of excitement from businesses and residents about the future of the area. 'We've had some new businesses, open up some great new restaurants,' MacIntyre said. 'We're hearing more people kick the tires on some of the spaces that we have downtown. Excited about things to come.' The second session was scheduled to take place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in provincial boardrooms C and D at Tom Davies Square. Landry said a final draft will be presented to the community in early fall, with the city planning to finalize the master plan by the end of 2025.
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Sudbury changing incentives for housing developers
With a change to financial incentives, the City of Greater Sudbury is making it easier for private developers to build new housing projects. Construction crews are working on a new larger site for the Doghouse restaurant in Azilda. If all goes as planned, the establishment will move next door this fall. The owner will then have to decide what to do with what will be a vacant space. They could be eligible for a financial incentive from the city, if they turn the building into housing. The City of Greater Sudbury planning committee approved a new Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which combines existing financial incentives programs into one, providing cash for private developers who propose three or more new dwelling units for either market or affordable housing. The idea is to makes it easier for private developers to create more housing across the community since it combines CIPs for strategic core areas, affordable housing, the brownfield strategy under one big plan. 'There's vacant properties, for example, the pipes are already in the ground, the sidewalks are already there, it's close to the libraries, etc. So, it makes sense for the city to provide incentives to build where we've already invested,' said senior planner Ed Landry. Some of the new eligible areas include Azilda, Wahnapitae, Garson, Coniston and Hanmer. 'It makes sense for us to harmonize these areas. It makes sense for us at the city, but in economic development to say, 'Hey, look, we've got this package of incentives; they all align and it just it makes things clearer and easier, hopefully for the development community,' Landry said. The new expanded areas are good news for Coun. Pauline Fortin, who said it recognizes Greater Sudbury as an amalgamated city. 'I think these programs just really help out,' Fortin said. ' 'The city doesn't build housing, but we can make it easier. We can open doors if we can throw a little bit of money in that direction to help it happen, because we really do need more housing and especially with our seniors.' The planning committee approved the change, but it still has to go through city council. If that process is rubberstamped, developers could be applying for these incentives by September.
