Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of London will host a second virtual public meeting next week as it continues work on a new Downtown Plan aimed at guiding growth and investment in the city’s core.
The Downtown Plan is being developed at the direction of city council to create a long-term strategy that supports residential, commercial and employment growth in downtown London. The plan is intended to provide clear goals and actionable strategies to help shape future development, investment and revitalization efforts.
Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2025 and focused on research, data collection and public engagement. That phase included an online survey, in-person focus groups and a virtual public meeting, along with a review of existing policies and conditions downtown. Feedback from residents, businesses and community stakeholders helped identify key challenges and opportunities and informed the development of a series of draft actions.
The project has now entered Phase 2, which focuses on refining those draft actions and working toward a complete Downtown Plan. The plan is expected to outline short-, medium- and long-term actions to support downtown vitality over the coming years.
During the upcoming virtual public meeting, city staff will present the draft actions and provide participants with an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback. Input received will be used to further refine the plan before it is finalized and presented to council.
City officials say the meeting is an opportunity for residents, business owners and community organizations to learn more about the next steps in the planning process and help shape the future of downtown London.
The virtual public meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom webinar.
Register for the webinar in advance or visit the project’s Get Involved webpage for background information, project updates and to sign up for the meeting.
