Transformational developments continue at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

June 15, 2018 11:00 a.m.

​Vaughan’s emerging downtown remains a leading destination to attract economic development, build public transit and create new and innovative neighbourhoods

During a meeting of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Sub-Committee, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua spoke at length about the ongoing progress, milestones and developments that continue to be achieved in the VMC – the City of Vaughan’s emerging downtown core. The VMC will be home to business offices, residences, entertainment and cultural facilities, retail and commercial areas, urban parks and open spaces. It will enhance the quality of life for residents and promote business prosperity. The VMC will provide transit connections for people living, working and visiting the city.
 
Throughout the VMC Sub-Committee, Members of Council and administration discussed and reviewed updates on York Region Rapid Transit, the VMC Parks Master Plan and Implementation Strategy, and the Mayor’s Smart City Advisory Taskforce. 
 
Representatives from York Region Rapid Transit Corporation provided updates about ongoing progress on the delivery of a number of key transit projects within Vaughan, including ongoing construction of the SmartCentres Place VMC Bus Terminal. Mayor Bevilacqua spoke of how investment in transit has been key to the VMC’s ongoing success. The Mayor further thanked intergovernmental partners for their continuing commitment in delivering important transit infrastructure that is benefiting people in Vaughan and across the the Greater Toronto Area.
 
In response to the VMC Parks Master Plan and Implementation, Mayor Bevilacqua spoke of how parks are at the heart of every community, where citizens find refuge from their busy lives and can connect with each other. This principle continues to form an important part of the VMC’s downtown urban structure. With the forecasted arrival of more than 12,000 residential units well before 2031, the City is planning for the delivery of urban parks and open spaces to serve this growing population. Staff are initiating a strategic plan that will set up a road map for the future phased implementation of the 20 hectares of parkland envisioned for the VMC.
 
Mayor Bevilacqua created the Smart City Advisory Task Force to make a significant impact on improving quality of life for Vaughan citizens and to change the way city-building is approached and undertaken, and especially in major urban developments like the VMC. Smart City initiatives have been a key component in the ongoing evolution of the city of Vaughan. Mayor Bevilacqua reinforced that with Vaughan in the midst of inspiring, generational change, a Smart City approach must shape the decisions made today and well into the future.
 
The VMC Sub-Committee, chaired by Mayor Bevilacqua, provides oversite and opportunities for Council to engage stakeholders, businesses, residents and members of Vaughan’s administration about the multitude of developments taking place in the VMC. Council representation on the sub-committee include: Regional Councillor Sunder Singh, Ward 3 Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca and Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco.    
 
QUOTE
 
“Over the course of this past term of Council, we have accomplished so much to build new residential and business developments, along with regionally-integrated transit opportunities in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre – our emerging downtown. The VMC is one of Canada’s largest master planned communities. Our downtown will be like no other. It will be unique. Whether someone is working, living or cycling through one of its many neighbourhoods, people will know they are in a place that is distinct, they will know they are in Vaughan. Vaughan’s downtown offers businesses and residents seamless connectivity throughout the Greater Toronto Area – with access to 400 series highways, bus rapid transit, railways and the CPR Vaughan Intermodal facility, the Canadian National MacMillan Yard and the Vaughan Metropolitan Subway Station. The VMC is also 15 minutes from Pearson International Airport – recognized by Airports Council International as the number one airport in North America for airports that service greater than 40 million passengers annually.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • With approximately 179 hectares of development opportunities, the VMC is the largest and most ambitious project in the City's history and will include:
  • 1.5 million square feet of office space, at minimum
  • 750,000 square feet of retail space, at minimum
  • 12,000 residential units to be home to 25,000 people, at minimum
  • Density targets of 200 people and jobs per hectare by 2031
  • Employment targets of 11,500 jobs of which 5,000 will be new office jobs
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