Developing Vaughan’s downtown core

June 10, 2021 10:00 a.m.
​VMC Sub-Committee reviews city-building initiatives and programs

The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) is the largest and most ambitious development project in the City’s history – and it continues to transform. Now a decade into its evolution, Vaughan’s downtown core is rising with key city-building projects in the works, public engagement opportunities underway and community amenities opening for use. The goal for the VMC is to develop a world-class city that encompass good urban design and public spaces that foster community well-being. To help guide growth, communicate initiatives and ensure municipal policies and planning requirements are met, the City of Vaughan’s VMC Sub-Committee held a meeting earlier this week.
 
The following four VMC projects were discussed during this meeting:
 
VMC SECONDARY PLAN UPDATE – PHASE 2 APPROACH
A secondary plan defines all the elements needed for successful development, including new roads and active transportation routes, open spaces and parks, policies to establish land uses and key infrastructure requirements. While the City’s current VMC Secondary Plan provides a strong framework for growth and utilization, an update is needed to reflect new provincial and regional policies and to ensure the existing planning framework is still relevant. Through multiple public engagement opportunities, including surveys, online workshops and more, the City kicked off its update to the VMC Secondary Plan last fall by collecting public feedback on issues, strengths and opportunities in the downtown core. These key findings were presented to the community in an online self-guided Public Open House in March 2021. Visit vaughan.ca/VMCPlan to view these results. Now moving into phase two of the update, the City aims to explore preliminary land use options for the area to recalibrate the Secondary Plan in an effort to achieve a balanced and complete downtown community. Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report.
 
VMC PARKS AND WAYFINDING MASTER PLAN UPDATE – REFINED SCENARIO
Targeted for completion in Q1 2022, the VMC Parks and Wayfinding Master Plan will develop a design and implementation plan for emerging parks and open space. It will inform how these public spaces guide development within the VMC, how they can be advanced over time, and thoughts on opportunities to enhance natural features, improve multi-modal mobility and increase the area’s vibrancy. A comprehensive signage and wayfinding system will also be incorporated to assist residents and visitors while moving through the VMC, in addition to ensuring the local businesses, key destinations and institutions in the area are easy to find. Establishing a network of high-quality parks and open spaces will be an essential part of the VMC’s infrastructure – and community input is vital to its success. As the study continues, public feedback is once again requested – visit vaughan.ca/VMCParks to watch a video and learn more about the current direction of the master plan, in addition to sharing feedback on park features, character, access and more. Have a say by participating in an online survey or virtual ideas board, available until Wednesday, June 30. Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report.
 
BLACK CREEK RENEWAL AND EDGELEY POND AND PARK PROJECT UPDATE
As development activities continue in the VMC, critical infrastructure improvements are also being advanced to support the growing downtown. Currently, work is planned for the Black Creek channel between Highway 7 and Highway 407, the construction of the Edgeley Pond and Park, as well as culvert improvements under Highway 7 at Jane Street. These projects will mitigate flooding, enhance stormwater management and create parks and open space within the VMC. To provide seamless delivery, these projects will all be combined into a single project. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023. The City will continue to work closely with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, York Region and VMC landowners to advance these projects. Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report.
 
VMC MARKETING UPDATE 2021
The City’s Economic and Cultural Development team continues to deliver and build on marketing and business development initiatives for the VMC – this includes branding and awareness building among top-level executives, corporate real estate professionals, commercial realtors and brokers, and site-selection professionals to position the VMC as an attractive major commercial office and retail location choice in the Greater Toronto Area. Citizens also continue to be engaged through activations and City communication channels. As COVID-19 persists, the pandemic’s economic impact on the real estate market continues to be assessed. Programs and tactics continue to be adjusted based on findings and in alignment with the City’s response efforts. For the remainder of 2021, promotional tactics will be leveraged, including expanding into new advertising and activation opportunities and seeking earned media opportunities. Learn more in the VMC Sub-Committee Report.
 
View the June 8, 2021 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.
 
Chaired by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, the VMC Sub-Committee is comprised of Members of 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.
 
-30-
All News