Ontario town plans to completely transform its downtown

An Ontario town is on the brink of a major transformation. 

At its July 14 meeting, Milton Town Council approved Phase 1 of a new Civic Precinct concept plan, a long-term redevelopment vision that will eventually replace the municipal parking lots across from Town Hall with a pedestrian-focused town square. 

The plan includes new public gathering spaces, enhancements to existing streets, and future retail and shop-lined pedestrian zones. 

Town documents cite more than 20 years of public interest in creating a large, accessible civic space in the downtown core. Since 2016, concept designs have envisioned a high-quality public realm, an idea reaffirmed by Council during its most recent strategic planning cycle. 

Phase 2 will incorporate future commercial/community/mixed-use into the precinct. Photo: Town of Milton. 

The newly approved first phase focuses on converting the parking lot between Milton Town Hall and the retail strip along Main Street into a vibrant public square, which will be designed for pedestrians and will serve as a community hub for events, gatherings, and outdoor activities. 

Construction on Phase 1 is expected to run through 2031, and during this time, enhancements to nearby Mary Street will allow for pedestrian-only setups, while Main Street businesses will be given opportunities to develop south-facing patios. 

A seasonal patio program is also being proposed exclusively for businesses within the Downtown Milton Business Improvement Area (BIA), aimed at supporting local shops during the construction period.

Phase 2 of the project would involve private development on the blocks east and west of the new civic square. This phase includes further removal of parking spaces in favour of public and commercial uses. The final phase, which is not expected to be complete until at least 2045, would fully pedestrianize the precinct by removing the remaining parking lots. 

To offset the loss of parking, the Town has secured parcels on Millside Drive, which are slated for conversion into a new municipal parking lot. Additional land acquisitions have also been made to accommodate parking needs as the development progresses. 

A competitive bid process for the design and construction of the square is set to begin later this year, with public engagement and incorporating feedback from residents and local businesses to follow.