Sudbury's future looks bright. As a key centre in Northern Ontario, Sudbury's vast land resources, industry, and educational opportunities make it a prime location for growth. With the intent to become a leader in the north for entertainment, retail, health research, higher education, and mining technology innovation, the timing is ideal to refine a master plan for the City's development.
Healthy cities are active and vibrant. The heart of a city is its downtown core and that core anchors its economy, showcases its stature and defines its character. Our vision for Sudbury 2050 puts people first. Sudbury's downtown core will be revitalized through key infrastructure developments, improved transit and active transportation options and added greenspace. The re-imagined downtown will provide exciting new opportunities to shop, live, and be entertained.
BUILT FORM
The keystone to the revitalization of Sudbury's downtown core will be the addition of a highly efficient, 7000-seat arena situated on abandoned rail lands at the north edge of downtown. The arena will be linked to the downtown core by a pedestrian underpass or overpass. The Junction North Arena and Energy Centre will transform this underutilized space into a central entertainment district. Its highly efficient design and attention to sustainability will make the arena a net energy contributor with links to the district energy project. The addition of a new arena site downtown allows the former community arena site and parking lands to be rejuvenated. New planning incentives will ensure that future core development will meet net zero aspirations through innovative technologies and high efficiency standards. All new major developments should accommodate a parking structure or underground parking, be LEED certified and incorporate green or cool roofs. Zoning bylaws in the downtown core should allow for urban infill and brownfield redevelopment.
The Junction, located on the site of the existing community arena and adjacent municipal lands, will become a thriving hub of business, entertainment and hospitality. Major city projects have already been announced to build a new library, art gallery, hotel and convention centre and a World Trade Center. These new developments will be directly adjacent to the relocated bus terminal, existing passenger train terminal and new light rail rapid transit link. We propose two new mixed-use residential towers to provide new commercial and housing opportunities in the downtown core's south end targeting youth and seniors. A new permanent food/farmers' market attached to the central train station will offer retail space for local farmers, artists and unique food outlets that will help define Sudbury as a distinct community.
A new medium-density mixed-use development is proposed on existing rail lands to the east of the proposed Brewer Lofts development. Called 'The Roundhouse' in honour of the site it's built upon, this community will be primely located steps away from the Junction North Arena and Energy Centre. We foresee this being a vibrant, pedestrianized development. Our 2050 vision also sees continued urban infill downtown and in the peripheral lands near the core. Improved transportation will allow for further growth in outlying town centers.
TRANSPORTATION
In 2050, Sudbury will be supported by a network of inter-modal transportation. Achieving net zero can be advanced through the electrification of transit. Our 2050 vision sets a new transportation hub in the Junction at the site of the existing train terminal. Commuters will be able to easily transfer between GOVA bus and GOVA light rail transit (LRT). This hub is located along the proposed Elgin Street Greenway and will be a node for cyclists and pedestrians. New electric LRT lines set on preexisting rail infrastructure offers rapid east west linkage to surrounding neighbourhoods and outlying town centers. A short rail extension will allow LRT service to the Sudbury Airport from downtown. The LRT brings town centers closer to the core and will spur new development in these outlying centres. The Airport link supports the World Trade Center and the Hotel Convention Center conveniently situated adjacent to the transit hub. We encourage Sudbury to push for high-speed rail service to Toronto. Parking will move underground or into parking garages. Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure will gradually build on the existing network to encourage active commuting. The transit system will be bike friendly and the transit hub will provide support services including bike rentals, a repair shop and bike parking.
GREEN INITIATIVES
Greenspace in urban centres is increasingly valued and sought after. The current COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of public open space. Green initiatives will provide Sudburian's with safe opportunities to get outside and avoid congestion. In addition to new parkland, pocket parks and greenways, Sudbury's re-greening will be directed toward expanding its urban forest. Sudbury should establish an urban tree canopy target for 2050. Locations should be identified downtown for opportunities to create pocket parks. Added greenspace will increase permeability, reduce the strain on the stormwater system, add trees, and create new social opportunities. A new First Nations park will be sited and developed in the downtown. The design and location will be determined through a collaborative design process. The district-heating network will expand to service more buildings in part from new energy derived from the new arena. Energy storage will be added adjacent to the arena parking lot. Creative rehabilitation strategies for former rail lands includes carefully selecting new uses; forming berms with contaminated soil and adding barriers to shield people and wildlife from exposure pathways.
STRATEGY
There are many opportunities to re-purpose underutilized parcels of land in the downtown core. Rail assets can become community assets. Parking areas can be redeveloped into vibrant mixed-use spaces. We have created an outline intended to point Sudbury in a general direction but to let the community fill in the details. The investment of public funds in a project should mean that the community has a say in what it develops. Design charrettes can generate new ideas and build consensus. Feedback from First Nations should be encouraged. Minority groups should be given a platform to participate in public consultation. We see Sudbury 2050 growing and evolving with the needs of its people.
(Competitor's text)
5 scanned / 5 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
