There’s now a roadmap for city hall to partner with stakeholders to revitalize downtown London over the next decade, but future budget decisions will ultimately determine how much political will exists to execute the plan. On Tuesday, the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC) received a presentation from the Canadian Urban Institute about the new 10-year Downtown Master Plan. The plan is titled ‘Downtown Reimagined: City of London Downtown Plan’ and includes 18 objectives and 58 phased actions that would cost about $48 million over the next decade. The London Development Institute (LDI), representing many of London’s largest developers, recommended the report’s endorsement and implementation. “Take leadership on making things happen! Spend money on the downtown and make it the great heartbeat of this London [and] cultural center for this community and the region,” Executive Director of LDI Mike Wallace told the committee. The head of the Old East Village BIA urged that the plan be broadened to include neighbouring core-area business districts. “How do we strengthen our urban core? And how do we build a city that is greater than one neighborhood?” Executive Director Kevin Morrison asked committee members. “There’s a time and a place to talk to the arterial areas that feed into the downtown, and I’m more than happy any time people want to have that conversation,” Coun. Hadleigh McAlister explained. “But I’m here today, we’re all here today, to talk about the downtown plan.” Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen argued that successfully implementing the plan will require addressing the social issues affecting downtown London. “We will not grow the downtown or develop it into its potential unless we come to terms with public defecation, public urination, the homelessness, the illegal drug use, [and] the violence,” he explained. Coun. Sam Trosow wanted to refer the decision to a committee meeting next month to provide more time for other stakeholders to read the lengthy plan and provide their feedback. His referral was defeated. The committee voted to endorse the new Downtown Master Plan, noting that beyond some quick-start actions, the next steps and how to fund them will be determined in the coming months and years. Many actions identified in the Downtown Plan will tap into existing budgets, but actions requiring additional investment will require approval in the 2028-2031 Multi-Year Budget. “I know we had a lot of engagement, but this is not the final decision,” explained Downtown Coun. David Ferreira. “This is just an endorsement of the framework and the themes that we are supporting.” In April 2025, council approved spending $415,000 to have the Canadian Urban Institute prepare the new plan. According to a staff report the goal is to, “guide future investment, public realm improvements, housing growth, economic development, programming, and downtown activation.” Downtown Reimagined recommends four so-called “big moves”: Council will make a final decision about endorsing the plan on July 23.
