Downtown Dig update maps next phase of Paris revitalization
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
With major construction work on West River Street and Grand River Street North nearing completion, County of Brant council has received a new roadmap outlining what has been accomplished through the Downtown Dig and what comes next for the continued revitalization of downtown Paris.
Council received the Downtown Paris Master Plan: Progress Update and Next Steps report as information at its June 23 meeting. The report revisits the 2019 Downtown Paris Master Plan and provides updated direction for remaining streetscape work, parking planning, downtown growth, accessibility and future construction phases.
The report was received by all members of council except Coun. John MacAlpine, who voted against receiving it.
The original master plan was approved in 2019 as a long-term vision to guide downtown improvements alongside the replacement of aging underground infrastructure. It was built around goals of protecting Paris’ heritage character, improving accessibility, supporting economic growth and creating a more people-focused downtown.
Since then, the County has completed or substantially advanced major reconstruction on West River Street and Grand River Street North.
West River Street, originally planned for a later stage of the project, was moved forward after detailed planning began. The work included replacement of natural gas and municipal services, new sidewalks, roadway repaving and traffic-calming measures. While the original plan considered bio-swales for stormwater management, staff determined there was not enough room within the road allowance. The final design instead prioritized wider sidewalks, on-street parking and traffic flow.
On Grand River Street North, from the Nith River Bridge to William Street, the County has replaced natural gas, water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, as well as hydro servicing, street lighting and traffic signals. The road has been repaved, permanent planters and landscaping have been installed, and parking has shifted from angled spaces to lay-by (parallel) parking.
Finishing work this year includes sidewalks, hardscaped amenity spaces, hydro infrastructure, street furniture, trees and bicycle storage.
The Grand River Street North and William Street intersection remains closed for underground infrastructure and streetscape work, which is expected to be completed this fall.
The report notes that some ideas from the original master plan changed as detailed design moved forward. A proposed mini-roundabout at Mechanic Street and Grand River Street North could not be accommodated because of space constraints. The shift to parallel style parking was retained, however, with the County saying it will create more sidewalk space, improve pedestrian comfort and accessibility, support sidewalk sales and events, and help traffic flow. The design includes a mix of two-hour parking spaces and short-term loading zones.
County staff said the early stages of the Downtown Dig have also provided important lessons for the work still ahead.
Those lessons include the need for regular communication with businesses and residents, better coordination with other construction projects, clear detours and continued flexibility when working around unknown utilities and historic features in a dense downtown setting.
The County also pointed to the creation of a dedicated construction liaison position as an important support for businesses, residents and property owners during the disruption.
The next major streetscape phases involve Mechanic Street, Broadway Street West and William Street. Renderings included in the update are currently at the 60 per cent design stage and remain subject to change as detailed designs are finalized.
Coun. Steve Howes said he recently visited Elora and was impressed by the community’s use of heritage plaques and storytelling features along its streets. He asked whether there was still an opportunity for Paris to build more of its history into the remaining downtown designs.
“I’m wondering if you can help me understand if there’s an opportunity still for us to still embrace telling the great history of downtown Paris,” Howes said.
Halie Gilmore, the County’s manager of corporate initiatives, said the renderings are still at the 60 per cent stage, leaving room for changes as the detailed designs are completed.
She said staff will meet with the Heritage Committee to explore how historical storytelling could be incorporated into the project.
Coun. John Bell asked when the remaining designs would reach the 100 per cent stage.
David Mellor, the County’s general manager of operations, said staff are targeting early next year for detailed design completion, though some issues still need to be worked through around hydro servicing on Broadway Street West and Mechanic Street.
“We are targeting detailed design early next year but there are some unknowns we are working through on Broadway and Mechanic related to hydro servicing,” Mellor said. “So, we just want to make sure we get that right before we proceed.”
The County is also considering a pause on work along Mechanic Street next year to give downtown businesses and residents a break from construction.
No further details were provided on that potential pause.
Bell also asked staff to consider accessible parking closer to Grand River Street North as future plans are developed.
Parking is expected to be one of the next major public conversations connected to the downtown plan.
The County’s preliminary parking needs assessment found the downtown system is at or nearing capacity during peak periods. The report notes that municipal surface parking currently takes up nearly 2.6 acres, or about 10 per cent of the downtown core.
The 2019 master plan had proposed a parking structure behind council chambers, but that location received negative feedback from residents concerned it would not be convenient for short visits downtown. Staff are now exploring alternate locations and future parking infrastructure options.
The report also raises the possibility of changes to parking operations, including permit or paid parking models. Gilmore said those discussions are still in the early stages and would not occur until late 2027 or early 2028.
She said the County included the language in the update because parking infrastructure is only one part of the issue, with operations and programming also needing to be considered.
Gilmore said any future changes would involve public engagement and require council approval.
MacAlpine said he had “strong reservations” about the possibility of parking structures, arguing they could negatively affect the community.
Adam Crozier, the County’s general manager of strategic initiatives, said staff recognize those concerns and do not envision a downtown Paris structure resembling parking facilities in larger centres such as Brantford or Hamilton.
He said any structure would require significant thought because of its location in downtown Paris, but noted the community has a limited geographic footprint and will need to balance parking needs as the downtown continues to shift from its industrial past to a more commercial core.
“It will be visually attractive and thoughtfully planned,” Crozier said.
Beyond streetscape and parking work, the next phase of the master plan includes continued community engagement, land-use planning decisions, a traffic impact study, further work on the Downtown Paris zoning project and the possible introduction of a community planning permit system.
The report does not set final budgets, construction schedules or procurement plans for future phases.
Those details are expected to come back to council for consideration as detailed design and planning advance in 2027 and beyond.
The full progress update is intended to provide residents, businesses and property owners with a clearer picture of how streetscape reconstruction, parking, future development, flood planning and downtown operations fit together as the Downtown Dig moves into its next stage.
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