Moving forward with Vaughan’s emerging downtown

March 13, 2019 11:00 a.m.

​First Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Sub-Committee of new term meets

The mandate of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Sub-Committee is about unleashing the potential of an emerging downtown core, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said, following the sub-committee’s first meeting of the 2018 to 2022 Term of Council.
 
The sub-committee debated and reviewed several initiatives, including marketing and communication efforts to attract economic development opportunities that will support the goal of building a vibrant downtown through dynamic public art installations. There were also informative reports on priority infrastructure projects, namely moving forward with the design of Vaughan’s first-ever urban park and the ongoing progress of construction activities on commercial and residential developments.
 
Several mixed-use developments are currently being planned or underway. Of note, the site of the future PwC-YMCA Tower, which will feature a YMCA and a City of Vaughan Centre for Community. This addition to the downtown will also have a new Vaughan Public Libraries branch, a community kitchen, as well as dance and music spaces, among many other amenities for residents of all ages to appreciate and enjoy.   
 
In January 2019, Mayor Bevilacqua made a historic announcement that Niagara University has expanded to the VMC with a modern new bi-national site located in the Expo City complex. Students studying in Vaughan can enrol in either the bachelor of professional studies in education or the master of science in education programs. Niagara University’s Vaughan location is walking distance from the VMC subway station and further connected by vivaNext bus rapid transit service. In addition to promoting our values of higher learning and education, it will serve as a magnet for city-building opportunities. 
 
At full build-out, the VMC will include more than 50 city blocks framed by a collection of parks and open spaces that link the four quadrants of the downtown to create a walkable, pedestrian oriented urban centre. Proposed development targets for 2031 have already been realized and the area continues to attract national and international attention from prospective businesses, employers and people looking to make the VMC their new home. The VMC Mobility Hub will be the nucleus of our vibrant downtown core that will function 24/7 with public art, activations, and community events.
 
Several of the current active development applications have introduced a wider range of building typologies, including mid-rise and urban townhouse blocks, which reflect the design vision to provide greater diversity in housing choice, massing form and architectural character. Many of these development projects are expected to be completed within the next five to seven years – bringing at least 25,000 new residents to the downtown core.
 
First established in 2011, the VMC Sub-Committee brings together Council, staff, stakeholders and business leaders to work toward the city’s shared goal of transforming the VMC into a thriving urban hub of economic prosperity, culture, greenspace and healthy active living. Mayor Bevilacqua is chair of the sub-committee. Ward 3 Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca, Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco and Local and Regional Councillor Linda D. Jackson serve on the sub-committee.
 
QUOTE
 
“The important work we undertake through the VMC Sub-Committee is part and parcel of our unwavering efforts to press ahead with building up our emerging downtown core. I want to recognize my Council colleagues and members of our administration for their steadfast commitment to work collectively toward developing the largest and most ambitious project in our city’s history. The VMC continues to attract transformational investments like the arrival of Vaughan and York Region’s first university - Niagara University. The PwC-YMCA Tower, EXPO City, Transit City, The MET and the KPMG Tower are among the many transformational projects shaping Vaughan’s rapidly growing and distinctive skyline. I look forward to continue working closely with industry leaders and community partners to build on our success and unleash the potential of the VMC.”
– Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • The VMC is projected to include:
    • 1.5 million square feet of office space
    • 750,000 square feet of retail space
    • 12,000 residential units to be home to 25,000 people
    • employment targets of 11,500 jobs, of which 5,000 will be new office jobs
  • The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre TTC subway station has a daily usage of 14,800 riders
 
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