Developing Vaughan’s downtown core
The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) continues to transform. More than a
decade into its evolution, Vaughan’s downtown core is rising with key
city-building projects in the works, public engagement opportunities underway and
new community amenities opening for use. The City of Vaughan is committed to
ensuring that the downtown is developed as a complete community with a mix of
uses that are transit supportive and pedestrian friendly, in addition to
offering a high quality of life and environmentally sustainable design
approaches.
To help guide growth, the City’s VMC Sub-Committee (PDF) met earlier this week. The following was discussed:
VMC STUDIES UPDATE – 2022
Through a variety of plans and studies, efforts are underway to foster a complete community in the VMC – one that balances current population densities with amenities such as community centres, parks and open spaces. Updates are as follows:
- The VMC Secondary Plan Update is now in Phase Three, developing a land use framework for the downtown core.
- Prototype signage will be installed as part of the VMC Parks and Wayfinding Master Plan. Staff continue to work on an implementation strategy and final report expected mid-2023.
- The VMC Functional Servicing Strategy Update is advancing with a final draft expected later this year. This will be completed alongside the city-wide Integrated Urban Water Plan Study.
- The VMC Transportation Master Plan Update is progressing, with results and recommendations to be shared late-2023.
Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report (PDF).
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT – TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION (TTC)
The VMC Mobility Hub encompasses the area around the Highway 7 vivaNext Bus Rapid Transit station, the TTC subway station, Transit Square and the SmartVMC Bus Terminal. More than 15,000 people pass through this area daily – this number is expected to grow significantly in the next five years. This report discusses maintenance of the surface elements, including on the plaza, around the TTC subway and building entrances. These areas require more frequent maintenance, especially during winter months. Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report (PDF).
BLACK CREEK RENEWAL PROJECT UPDATE
The Black Creek Renewal project supports the City’s commitment to mitigate flooding, enhance stormwater management, and create parks and open spaces within the VMC. The scope has expanded to include the Edgeley Pond and Park construction, as well as the design and construction of the Highway 7 culvert crossing at Jane Street, in order to realize delivery efficiencies. Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report (PDF).
VMC CAPITAL PROJECTS AND IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
Construction progresses in the VMC. The focus is on advancing critical infrastructure in each of the four quadrants to keep pace with development and support the emerging community. Updates are as follows:
- Construction of several critical infrastructure projects, including roads and parks, are underway or complete.
- The VMC Centre of Community is now open.
- The development of Vaughan’s first urban park continues to advance.
- The final design of the Edgeley Pond and Park is complete; approvals are underway.
- The preliminary design for the Black Creek Renewal project is in the works.
- The On-Street Pay and Display Parking Pilot completed its first year of a two-year pilot project.
- Public art advances creative placemaking in the VMC.
Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report (PDF).
VMC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY UPDATE
A VMC development activity update is as follows:
- The VMC Secondary Plan established a population target of 25,000 residents and 11,500 jobs by 2031.
- Approved residential development currently accounts for over 20,020 units and approximately 39,640 residents; representing 167 per cent of the residential unit target and 159 per cent of the population target established for the 2031 planning horizon.
- An additional 19,450 residential units, accounting for approximately 38,500 or more potential residents, are proposed; if approved, a total of 329 per cent of the residential unit and 313 per cent of the residential population targets established for the 2031 planning horizon will be realized.
- In 2022, more than 783,000 square feet of new office space has been built, generating 6,530 jobs and representing 52 per cent of the 2031 office space target.
- To date, more than 425,000 square feet of retail uses have been approved, representing 57 per cent of the 2031 retail target.
Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report (PDF).
VMC EMERGING COMMUNITY VIDEO
During the meeting, a video was shown to highlight the VMC’s achievements during this Term of Council – including capital projects, development activities and public art initiatives. Some of these art and cultural events include:
- the ArtWalk Murals and activations, featuring art by a roster of acclaimed artists, including Barcelona-based Ricardo Cavolo, Montreal-based Jeremy Shantz and Toronto born birdO and Ben Johnston. It is comprised of four vibrant, colourful murals spanning across 30,000 square feet.
- Metropolis in Motion, a City-curated panoramic installation, featuring the transforming graphic design of established Vaughan-based artist Frank Mazzuca and stands at 63-feet wide and 10-feet tall.
- the PXL Gallery – the first permanent public art installation to be unveiled in the VMC. This modern 10,000 square foot low-resolution LED art installation features rotating exhibits, nightly, of curated moving artwork created by acclaimed digital artists.
- the Assembly Park Outdoor Gallery, installed on exterior surfaces of decommissioned shipping containers located within The Gardens at Assembly Park. Spanning over 1.47 acres, the gallery provides space for five Canadian artists to share their craft and the community to explore.
View the Sept. 20, 2022 VMC Sub-Committee meeting agenda for more information.
All committee meetings held are open to the public in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 and streamed live at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil. Meetings are posted within the Council and Committee meeting calendar, available at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings.
The VMC Sub-Committee is comprised of Members of Vaughan Council and City staff – including the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager of Planning and Growth Management and the VMC program team. The committee’s mandate – which is outlined in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Sub-Committee Terms of Reference (PDF) – will run throughout the 2018-2022 term of Council.
To learn more about the VMC Sub-Committee, visit vaughan.ca/Council/Committees.
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