Cultural Hub

On November 28, Council approved plans for the development of a Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square. This will involve retrofitting both 200 Brady St. and 199 Larch St. to include:

  • a new Central Library
  • the Art Gallery of Sudbury and
  • the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association

The project will provide residents with a variety of services in one convenient centralized location, and supports the City’s commitment to accessibility, environmental sustainability, multiculturalism, social inclusion and culture.

To make room for these new services at Tom Davies Square, a Municipal Services Relocation project will move some municipal services from 200 Brady St. to the provincial tower at 199 Larch St. This is made possible by post-pandemic changes to the Province’s business operations, which has made a significant amount of space available within 199 Larch St.

Cultural Hub Architectural Team Chosen

In April 2024, Teeple Architects was selected as the consultant for the design of the project, in a collaborative partnership with Two Row Architect and Yallowega Architecture, through a competitive RFP process.

Benefits

  • Enhances the number of services for residents in one location.
  • Makes use of existing municipal assets.
  • Realizes operating cost avoidance by not building a new facility.
  • Realizes capital cost reduction compared to building a new facility.
  • Transforms City Hall for further downtown revitalization by establishing an accessible, inviting, contemporary, people-oriented space for connecting residents to each other as well as to art, information and technology.
  • Contributes to municipal economic development and tourism goals.

Budget

  • Total project budget of $65 million.
  • Up to $37 million in municipal funding, with funds provided by debt already secured.
  • If funding from Cultural Hub partners and/or external funding sources is less than anticipated, Council approved the provision of additional municipal funds up to the approved budget amount, using funds from the previously secured debt for this project, to an upset limit of $64.5 million.

Next Steps

  • The design team will join staff for a presentation to Council later this spring, followed by the start of the schematic design.
  • Public consultation will be incorporated into various stages of the project.
  • Construction is expected to begin in mid-2025.