City of Greater Sudbury Presents Action Plan Addressing Challenges Facing Downtown

City of Greater Sudbury Chief Administrative Officer Shari Lichterman presented a new Action Plan in a report to Council on October 7, detailing a coordinated strategy to further advance the City’s downtown revitalization efforts.

The plan focuses on addressing the mental health and addictions crisis, enhancing safety and creating a more welcoming environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

While long-term solutions are underway and significant progress has been made, the City has identified the need for a more sustained and coordinated approach to address ongoing challenges in the short to medium term. This plan is designed to build on past efforts and support the downtown transformation, as major investments in infrastructure continue to drive economic growth in the core.

The action plan is built around five key pillars:

Social Services
The City will expand hours and services at warming centres, with a focus on the Energy Court location. The site will serve as a Social Services Hub, providing 24-hour support in a centralized location, improving access to essential resources for vulnerable populations.

Beautification
A coordinated effort between City staff and community partners, including the Downtown Sudbury BIA, will enhance the cleanliness and maintenance of key streets and landmarks. Increased service levels will help ensure the downtown remains attractive and inviting.

Animation
The City will take a proactive approach to enhance the number and frequency of events in Memorial Park and Tom Davies Square, in addition to streamlining the process for groups to book events at all City venues. Planned improvements to Memorial Park will support a more plug-and-play experience for event organizers.

Safety and Security
The plan is supported by Greater Sudbury Police Services, who, along with City By-law officers, will support focused efforts to ensure safety and security at Energy Court and throughout downtown.  Police and security will also work in partnership with social services to ensure vulnerable residents are provided with the services they need.

Planning for a Prosperous Downtown
City staff will continue work on a new Downtown Master Plan, with a focus on identifying opportunities for growth and development, particularly in the South District.

“This action plan represents a meaningful step forward in creating a vibrant, inclusive and economically strong downtown,” said City of Greater Sudbury CAO Shari Lichterman. “Downtowns are vital economic engines and serve as cultural and social hubs for the community. By working together with our partners and residents, we can ensure downtown Sudbury remains a place where people want to live, work and play.”

The full report is available at https://pub-greatersudbury.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=58362.