Downtown Paris Master Plan: The Downtown Dig

Progress is happening! The sidewalk on the west side of Grand River Street North is fully installed and open to the public!

The sidewalk on the east side of the street will be installed once hydro servicing is complete. We will keep you informed.

Notable accomplishments and statuses:

• West side sidewalk - 100% complete
• West side foundation repairs - 100% complete
• County conduit for future fibre - 100% complete
• Hydro primary duct line - 80% complete (Hydro 60% overall)
• Road base gravel placement - 80% complete
• Street light conduit - 50% complete
• West side landscaping - 50% complete

In the coming weeks, hydro servicing, streetlight work, and landscaping will continue.

We want to thank everyone who supported Downtown Paris BIA’s Block Party last week! It was a great success! Please continue to shop and dine local to support businesses.

Stay connected and informed

✔ Follow the Downtown Dig and the Downtown Paris BIA (@dtparisontario) on Facebook and Instagram
✔ Subscribe for project updates and explore detour maps, phase details, and more on this page
✔ Visit brant.ca/DowntownDig for additional resources
✔ Refer to for the most up-to-date traffic information regarding road construction and closures at municipal511.ca.

Crews are installing Silva Cells in sidewalk and planter box areas as part of the Downtown Dig reconstruction. Silva Cells support healthy tree growth and help manage stormwater, on site.

Improved Stormwater Management

Serving a dual purpose, Silva Cells are a stormwater management feature that also supports tree growth.

• Are a Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater management feature that act as a bioretention system under pavement. They promote groundwater infiltration and filter pollutants through the soil and root uptake.
• They promote groundwater infiltration which reduces runoff during rainfall events.
• They assist in stormwater management in tight urban spaces because their modular structure fits under sidewalks and planters without needing large surface basins.

For more information on stormwater management in the County, please visit brant.ca/Stormwater.

Supporting the County’s Climate Action Plan

The County’s Climate Action Plan, approved in late 2024, outlines the need to adapt to our changing climate and promote environmental sustainability.

Silva Cells support those targets by

• supporting green infrastructure that handles water naturally, promotes stormwater infiltration and improves resilience
• enhancing the growth and longevity of the trees to be planted downtown and supports the goal of planning 55,000 trees by 2035 on public and private lands
• Adding trees downtown offers many benefits – they will help reduce the urban heat island effect and keep downtown cool with natural shade, while improving air quality by sequestering carbon.

For more information on Climate Action in the County, please visit brant.ca/ClimateAction.

Thank you for your patience as these important upgrades are made and construction continues.

As always, we encourage you to think local and shop in Downtown Paris. The heart of our community thrives with your support!

Stay connected and informed

✔ Follow the Downtown Dig and the Downtown Paris BIA (@dtparisontario) on Facebook and Instagram
✔ Subscribe for project updates and explore detour maps, phase details, and more on this page
✔ Visit www.brant.ca/DowntownDig for additional resources
✔ Refer to for the most up-to-date traffic information regarding road construction and closures at www.municipal511.ca.

We’re moving into the final stages of Phase 2a and 2b of the Downtown Dig! Much of the major infrastructure work is now complete, and crews are focusing on finishing touches that will bring us closer to a renewed and revitalized downtown.

Work done the past two weeks

• Sanitary sewer services to buildings 100% complete
• Remaining catchbasin installations and storm sewer system 100% complete
• Bell works 100% complete
• Foundation restoration 98% complete, surface parging remains
• Other identified foundation repairs ongoing
• Lisa's Way walkway restored, planter box area remains
• Excavation for road base 100% complete
• Road base gravel placement 50% complete
• Landscaping work has commenced
• Streetlight conduit installation has commenced
• Hydro works Ongoing

Next 2 weeks

• Hydro works continue
• Landscaping works continue
• Streetlight conduit installation continues
• Foundation restoration work will be complete
• Other identified foundation repairs will be complete
• Curb installation to commence
• Sidewalk installation to commence.

Thank you to our residents, businesses, and visitors for your continued patience and support throughout this project — the end result is just around the corner!

Stay connected and informed

✔ Follow the Downtown Dig and the Downtown Paris BIA (@dtparisontario) on Facebook and Instagram
✔ Subscribe for project updates and explore detour maps, phase details, and more on this page
✔ Visit www.brant,ca/DowntownDig for additional resources
✔ Refer to for the most up-to-date traffic information regarding road construction and closures at www.municipal511.ca.

Lisa’s Way walkway in Downtown Paris, located between BMO and the County of Brant Customer Service Office, is tentatively scheduled to close for concrete walkway installation from Wednesday, September 3 to Friday, September 5, 2025 (weather permitting). Updates will be shared as they become available.

Pedestrian through access from the parking lot to Grand River Street North between 66 and 68 Grand River Street North will be unavailable.

Detour signage to/from Grand River Street North will be posted. County of Brant public washrooms will remain open.

Please use alternate routes to access Downtown:

• Mechanic Street
• William Street
• Accessible access available via Rexall

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to build a better Downtown Paris, Ontario!

To learn more about the Downtown Dig, or view the Downtown Paris Business Directory, visit brant.ca/DowntownDig

Great progress is being made in Downtown Paris!

Over the past two weeks crews have:
✅ Completed watermain work and fire hydrant repairs (new system is now fully operational!)
✅ Finished storm repairs on Lisa’s Way
✅ Continued important hydro and utility work

Next 2 Weeks Ahead:
• Continued sanitary, hydro, and Bell work
• Catch basin lead repairs starting
• Road building begins: excavation + base material placement
• Concrete walkway installation is tentatively scheduled to take place on Lisa’s Way on September 3 and 4. The walkway will be closed during this time.

During the Dig, access to your favourite businesses and establishments remains open – though occasional changes to crosswalks and sidewalks may occur due to construction.

As always, we encourage you to think local and shop in Downtown Paris. The heart of our community thrives with your support!

Stay connected and informed:

✔ Follow the Downtown Dig and the Downtown Paris BIA (@dtparisontario) on Facebook and Instagram
✔ Subscribe for project updates and explore detour maps, phase details, and more on this page
✔ Visit www.brant,ca/DowntownDig for additional resources
✔ Refer to for the most up-to-date traffic information regarding road construction and closures at www.municipal511.ca.

Thank you for your continued patience as we move closer to a revitalized downtown!

What’s been done (last 2 weeks)

• Watermain services (main to curbstop) - 90% completed
• Watermain services (curbstop to building) - 50% completed
• Sanitary services to building connections - 50% completed
• Hydro work started

Coming up (next 2 weeks)

• Water services from main to curbstop continues
• Water services from curbstop to building continues
• Sanitary service connection to building continues
• Hydro work continues

Lisa's Way Update

• Lisa's Way storm repair next week from Monday, August 18 to Thursday, August 21 (weather depending)
• Midblock crosswalk will be shifted shortly North of current location
• Public washrooms will be temporarily unavailable within the duration of the work and portable washrooms will be provided.
• South row of parking behind BMO will be temporarily unavailable within the duration of the work.

During the Dig, sidewalks, crosswalks, and access to your favourite businesses and establishments will remain open — though occasional changes may occur due to construction activities.

As always, we encourage you to think local and shop in Downtown Paris. The heart of our community thrives with your support.

Stay connected and informed

• Follow the Downtown Dig and Downtown Paris, Ontario(External link) on Facebook and Instagram
• Subscribe for updates by clicking 'Subscribe' on the Stay Informed box on this page
• Visit brant.ca/DowntownDig(External link) for additional resources
• Refer to Municipal 511 at municipal511.ca(External link) for the most up-to-date traffic information regarding road construction and closure

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to upgrade the infrastructure in Downtown Paris.

The Downtown Paris pedestrian access known as Lisa's Way, between 66 and 68 Grand River Street North, will be closed beginning Monday, August 18 to Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Details

• Closure is taking place to safely replace the existing storm sewer pipe. Weather permitting.
• Mid-block crosswalk will be moved slightly north of the current location.
• A section of the public parking lot behind 68 Grand River Street North will be temporarily unavailable for the duration of the work.
• Pedestrian through access from the parking lot to Grand River Street North between 66 and 68 Grand River Street North will be unavailable.
• Pedestrian detour signage to/from Grand River Street North will be posted.

It is our goal to minimize any inconvenience to our residents. Your patience through any disruption will be greatly appreciated.

Stay connected and informed

• Follow the Downtown Dig and Downtown Paris, Ontario(External link) on Facebook and Instagram
• Subscribe for updates by clicking 'Subscribe' on the Stay Informed box on this page
• Visit brant.ca/DowntownDig(External link) for additional resources
• Refer to Municipal 511 at municipal511.ca(External link) for the most up-to-date traffic information regarding road construction and closures

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to upgrade the infrastructure in Downtown Paris.

Highlights from the last two weeks

• Watermain disinfection & testing – Complete!
• Watermain is now live at William Street & the Grand River Street North intersection
• Water service (main to curbstop): 66% complete
• Water service (curbstop to building): 7% underway
• Storm sewer system: COMPLETE!

What's coming up next

• Water service work continues
• Sanitary service connections begin
• Hydro work at William Street & Grand River Street North (Southeast corner) begins after the long weekend

Additional timeline information will be shared as it becomes available.

During the Dig, sidewalks, crosswalks, and access to all your favourite businesses and establishments remain open – with the occasional changes due to construction activities.

As always, we encourage you to think local, and shop in Downtown Paris. The heart of Paris needs the support of our local community!

Stay connected and informed

• Follow the Downtown Dig and Downtown Paris, Ontario on Facebook and Instagram
• Subscribe for updates by clicking 'Subscribe' on the Stay Informed box on this page
• Visit brant.ca/DowntownDig for additional resources
• Refer to Municipal 511 at municipal511.ca for the most up-to-date traffic information regarding road construction and closure

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to upgrade the infrastructure in Downtown Paris.

Please be advised that overnight watermain work is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 28 from 7:00 pm to Tuesday, July 29 at 7:00 am in downtown Paris.

During this time, William Street will be reduced to one lane and the crosswalk south of Grand River Street North and William Street will be temporarily closed.

Traffic will be maintained, and for your safety the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be onsite to assist with traffic control at the intersection.

We kindly remind all drivers and pedestrians to exercise extra caution when traveling in or near construction zones.

Downtown businesses remain open throughout construction – please continue to show your support and shop local!

Thanks for your continued patience as we improve infrastructure in downtown Paris!