Downtown Paris Master Plan: The Downtown Dig

County of Brant staff are busy preparing for the Downtown Dig and would like to provide residents and businesses with the following project update.

Community Engagement – Streetscape features

Community engagement for the Downtown Dig began on November 22, 2024, inviting residents and businesses to help select new streetscape features, including streetlight fixtures, benches, and bike racks. Voting was available online and in-person at the Burford and Paris Customer Service Offices.

Over 700 votes were cast for the three features—thank you to everyone who took the time to participate! The winners will be announced in the new year.

Enbridge Gas notice

Starting January 13, 2025, Enbridge Gas, through their contractor Aecon, will begin replacing natural gas infrastructure in downtown Paris. This work is essential preparation for the Downtown Dig and is expected to last approximately 60 working days, weather permitting.

Key details:

• The Gas Main and individual services to buildings on Grand River Street North, with minor connections along Mechanic Street and William Street will be replaced.
• Gas lines under sidewalks will be replaced, with temporary hot mix asphalt patches applied until full sidewalk reconstruction takes place in 2025.
• Sidewalk access and business entryways will remain open whenever possible, though some disruptions and equipment staging in parking stalls are expected.
• Updated safety standards require natural gas regulators to be relocated to building exteriors, with visually appealing shrouds to minimize aesthetic impact.

The County is working closely with Enbridge to minimize disruptions and meet modern safety standards. Impacted property owners have received letters.

Thank you for your understanding as we prepare for this vital infrastructure improvement!

Business Community Update

Are you a downtown Paris business owner? A private Engage Brant page has been created to provide updates and information specifically to business owners. For access to the page, please contact Dana Steane at dana.steane@brant.ca(External link) or phone 519.44BRANT (442.7268).

Business Forum

In October, County of Brant staff met with members of the Paris business community at a Downtown Business Forum. The forum provided an overview of changes to the Downtown Paris Master Plan, as well as additional details on the implementation schedule for the Downtown Dig. Businesses were also given the opportunity to hear from representatives from other communities that had went through similar reconstruction projects, as well as ask questions. Approximately 60 people attended the event.

View the presentation from this meeting.

Community Improvement Plan

County of Brant staff have made changes to the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) application process to allow businesses to make updates and changes to their businesses during the Downtown Dig. The CIP provides matching funding for eligible businesses and property owners to make improvements to both the interior and exterior of their buildings. These improvements can be made to improve the look of a building’s façade while maintaining its historic character, improve accessibility, and make internal improvements to add housing options in the downtown core. Businesses along the west side of Grand River Street North are encouraged to make improvements to the back entrances of their establishments during the Downtown Dig, providing shoppers with an alternative way to access their stores.

Changes to the CIP application process include allowing projects totaling $5,000 in grant value or less to be approved quicker, enabling business owners to meet their customer’s needs sooner. For more information about this program, visit www.brant.ca/CIP or connect with the Economic Development team by emailing invest@brant.ca.

Business Community Engage Brant page

The County of Brant has created an Engage Brant page specifically for Paris business owners. Businesses were sent an email invitation in May to access this private page on the Engage Brant website. If you did not receive an email, or the link you received is expired, please contact Dana Steane, Public Consultation Specialist, by email at dana.steane@brant.ca or phone 519.732.8956.

Detour routes

Staff are actively working to create detour routes to ensure smooth traffic flow during the upcoming Downtown Dig project. These detours aim to minimize disruptions, maintain access to businesses and key areas throughout the construction period, and keep the public informed about the project.

Signage will be placed at key access points, not only near downtown Paris but also in areas commonly used by traffic traveling through Paris and the surrounding region. A detour map will also be available online.

As a number of areas will be impacted, we ask that you plan your trip ahead of time to avoid delays.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we finalize these plans to support our community!

Connect with us!

We invite you to visit the www.brant.ca/DowntownDig website, here you will find links to important resources for businesses and the community. “The Downtown Dig” Facebook and Instagram accounts have also been created, follow today!

The County of Brant is calling on residents and businesses to get involved in the Downtown Dig by helping select the new streetscape features that will bring the vision for Downtown Paris to life. Residents are invited to vote on their favourite designs for new light fixtures, benches, and bike racks—essential elements of the revitalized downtown streetscape.

"We’re thrilled to involve the community in shaping the finer details of this transformative project,” said Mayor David Bailey. “These features play an important role and will define our community’s charm for years to come.”

This is a unique opportunity for the community to directly influence the look and feel of the new Downtown Paris. Residents can participate in the selection process by:

• Casting their vote on EngageBrant.
• Stopping by the Paris and Burford Customer Service Offices to vote in person.

The County of Brant is committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and functional downtown that reflects the community's values and character. Selecting these features is another step in ensuring the space aligns with the needs and preferences of residents.

“During the Downtown Dig we encourage all residents and businesses to get involved and engage” added Mayor Bailey. “Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to leave your mark on the future of Paris Downtown!”

Residents are encouraged to cast their votes before voting closes on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm.

For more information on the Downtown Dig visit brant.ca/DowntownDig and follow the Downtown Dig on Facebook and Instagram.

Are you a downtown Paris business owner? A private Engage Brant page has been created to provide updates and information specifically to business owners. For access to the page, please contact Dana Steane at dana.steane@brant.ca or phone 519.44BRANT (442.7268).

Last week County of Brant staff met with members of the Paris business community to provide an overview of changes to the Downtown Paris Master Plan, as well as provide additional details on the implementation schedule. View the presentation.

Photos that show the existing streetscape as well as newly designed renderings are also available in the Photos section on this page.

Subscribe to this project and be the first to receive updates as they are available. Add your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe'. We encourage you to also follow the Downtown Dig on Facebook and Instagram.

Construction Schedule Update & Pre-Qualification for Tender

The County has released the pre-qualification for the tender for the Downtown Dig to ensure the selected contractor has experience undertaking such a significant project. The tender will be released in November to the pre-qualified contractors and awarded in January 2025 to have work begin in March 2025 (weather permitting). Detailed design concepts will be released shortly to outline what Grand River Street North will look like following this construction project.

With regard to the construction and the construction tender, a report to request pre-budget approval for the Downtown Dig project was submitted to the Administration and Operations Committee meeting on September 17.

Above is an outline of the preliminary schedule of events for the reconstruction project, and once the Tender has been awarded a more complete schedule and phasing plan will be prepared by County staff and the contractor.

During discussions with the Downtown Paris BIA Board of Management, County staff understand that the construction project during both the summer and Christmas seasons would be more significantly impactful. As such, the intention of the proposed schedule is to have the portion of Grand River Street North from the Nith River Bridge to the north side of the intersection with William Street be minimally completed by the end of October 2025, with the necessary finishing touches (top coat of asphalt, new benches / waste receptacles) undertaken following the end of winter in early 2026.

Streetscaping and Design Elements

Final design for the revised streetscaping is expected to be complete in the coming weeks, which will include samples palettes for benches, waste receptacles, and streetlighting poles. County staff will be consulting the business community and public regarding these elements in mid October.

Business Engagement and Mitigation Efforts

County staff from the Strategic Initiatives Department have been working closely with the Downtown Paris BIA Board of Management and local businesses to provide support in preparation, and anticipating needs during the construction project. A report outlining these activities was presented at the September 17, 2024, meeting of the Administration and Operations Committee. This report outlines elements of the Communications Plan that the County will undertake and in coordination with the Downtown Paris BIA to encourage continued shopping during the construction project, to provide up-to date information regarding closures. It also details the County’s successful application to the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, securing $112,000 in funding for support measures during the project. These measures include a dedicated Construction Liaison between the County, the contractor, and the local business community (pending budget approval), as well as Ambassadors to assist visitors and business owners throughout the construction process.

Proposed Schedule for the Downtown Dig and the Downtown Paris Master Plan Reconstruction:

Below is a high-level overview for both the Downtown Dig project, along with the proposed schedule for reconstruction projects impacting the Downtown area in support of the Downtown Paris Master Plan. Please note that timelines are subject to change.

Proposed Summary of Events for Downtown Dig

• August 2024: Release of Request for Pre-Qualification of Potential Bidders for Reconstruction of Grand River Street North – Downtown Dig Project
• October 2024: Selection of Pre-Qualified Contractors
• October 16, 2024: Downtown Business Forum
• October 2024: Public Consultation on Streetscaping Elements and Presentation of Final Designs
• November 2024: Release of Tender for Downtown Dig Project to Pre-Qualified Bidders
• January 2025: Council to Award Tender
• February 2025: Open House to Outline Construction Details following preparation of firm construction schedule
• March/April 2025: Beginning of Construction Project (Area from Nith River Bridge to William Street Intersection)
• October/November 2025: Reopening of Grand River Street North for Christmas Shopping Season
• April-June 2026: Completion of Outstanding Items and Area North of William Street Intersection

Future Tentative Downtown Paris Area Reconstruction Projects Timelines

• 2024: West River Street from the Nith River to Broadway Street West (currently underway)
• 2026: Mechanic Street from Grand River Street North to West River Street (full underground replacement and street scaping)
• 2027: Grand River Street South from Nith River Bridge to Dumfries Street (full underground replacement and roundabout)
• 2028: Broadway Street from Mechanic Street to William Street, and, William Street from Broadway Street to Grand River Street North (full underground replacement and street scaping)
• 2025/2026-2028/2029: William Street, Willow Street and East Flats (storm drainage, watermain replacement, asphalt resurfacing) (work will be coordinated with closures required for downtown core).
• 2029 & 2030: Grand River Street North from William Street to Silver Street (underground replacement and asphalt resurfacing)

An update on the Downtown Dig is being shared at this morning's Administrative and Operations Committee Meeting. The meeting begins today, Tuesday, September 17 at 9:00 am.

View the meeting online by visiting brant.ca/Live and access the meeting agenda by visiting brant.ca/CouncilCalendar.

To learn more about the Downtown Dig, visit brant.ca/DowntownDig.

The County of Brant is currently developing the Business Mitigation, Business Communication, and Community Communication Plans. These Plans will be developed in consultation with various stakeholders including the Downtown Paris BIA and brought to the September Policy Development Committee Meeting for Committee approval.

Business Engagement and Community Engagement Plans are also underway. Engagement will occur in Summer 2024 to gather feedback on streetscape amenities. Final design concepts will be shared on this page as well as on the County's website at www.brant.ca/TheDowntownDig.

As “The Downtown Dig” final design plans are finalized, the tender for the project is expected to be released in Fall 2024.

Have questions about the project? Please use the Questions tool on this page to let us know.

As plans proceed, we will continue to communicate through our regular channels. Subscribe to this page for updates as they are available by adding your email to the Stay Informed box on this page and click ‘Subscribe'.