Council Endorses Downtown Milton Civic Precinct Project in Principle

On August 27 Milton Council endorsed the Downtown Milton Civic Precinct Project, identifying the way forward for a Town-initiated revitalization project on Town-owned lands east of Brown Street, between Main Street and Mary Street. The project proposes a mixed use development, which includes a public square and parking facilities.

The 2016 Downtown Study identified several priorities for the civic precinct redevelopment including:

• Creating a civic presence as an anchor in the downtown
• Building on the existing heritage
• Creating a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, interactive public space
• Taking a leadership role in stimulating investment in the downtown
• Constructing parking facilities to meet existing and future needs

“Through public consultation during the Downtown Study, residents and businesses told us that they want continued invest in downtown Milton to make it a vibrant hub for the community,” said Town of Milton CAO Bill Mann. “This design-bid-build project gives us the ability to balance the needs of the market with the desires for public place-making.”

There were questions from councillors on different aspects of the plan.  Councillor Colin Best asked about the idea of expanding the Town Hall, which is expected to outgrow its current location within two years.  The report forecasts that Town administrative staff will need over 50,000 additional square footage in addition to the current Town Hall location.

Habitat for Humanity Looking at ReStore Options

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is located in the old post office at the corner of Brown and Mary St.   In January,  the group filed an application rezone property at 151 Steeles Ave, and turn it into a new location.  Town Council approved the application, only to have it overturned by Halton Region Council citing the need for employment lands in that area in accordance with provincial planning policy.

The group withdrew its appeal application in April, but is still looking for another location.   “Nothing yet has come up to my knowledge, but we haven’t given up yet,” Habitat for Humanity CEO John said in an email.  They withdrew an appeal in mid-April.  Milton Council officially withdrew zoning permission  July 23, 2018. The Milton location also houses offices for Milton Transitional Housing (MTH).

For more information on the Civic Precinct Feasibility Study visit the Town’s website.