Project Overview |
With a population of over 1,200 residents, Downtown Markdale is the largest settlement area in Grey Highlands. In 2018, the Municipality of Grey Highlands had the foresight to purchase the approximately two-acre, historic F.T. Hill corner (20 Toronto Street North) to serve as the catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Markdale. The property is strategically located on the northwest corner of the main intersection in Markdale (Provincial Highway 10 and Grey Road 12), with over 9,300 daily travellers passing by in peak season. The Municipality also owns a small property at 11 Toronto Street North (directly across the street from the main site location). This property sits adjacent (but not connected) to a bank. One side of this property is currently unoccupied, and the second unit was (pre-COVID) home to a local non-profit (Markdale Seniors Citizens Club). Development of these identified sites is intended to catalyze Markdale’s regional role, contribute to the revitalization of its downtown core, enhance the experiences of citizens and visitors throughout the Municipality, and contribute significantly to the character of the Municipality for generations. The Municipality of Grey Highlands and its residents have the opportunity to help define and position the Municipality for a strong, vibrant and resilient future, and we are looking for your input. The Municipality of Grey Highlands has engaged The Planning Partnership to help facilitate our Downtown Markdale Visioning Project. Over the coming weeks, we will be reaching out and sharing information with community members and stakeholders in a variety of ways:
The project wrapped up on June 30, 2021, and the project report was presented to Council on July 21, 2021.
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Downtown Markdale Visioning Project Report (July 21, 2021) |
Over the past four and a half months, The Planning Partnership has conducted interviews with Council members and key community stakeholders, hosted two preliminary community workshops, undertaken an extensive public surveying process to gauge public sentiment towards preliminary concepts, and hosted an additional two community workshops to allow for further public input into updated concepts. On July 21, The Planning Partnership presented a summary of their findings to Council, and the Downtown Markdale Visioning Project Report was approved as presented. Over the last number of months, Economic and Community Development staff have received a number of general inquiries from potential developers on the opportunities available for the Municipally-owned properties in downtown Markdale. Staff have been advising developers of the current process for visioning that is being undertaken, and are aware of a number of developers have been awaiting the outcomes of this report. |
Recap of Downtown Markdale Visioning Sessions - Workshop #2 (July 6, 2021) |
Please click here to view the presentation delivered by The Planning Partnership.
Session 1 - 1:00 pm Chat Log |
Recap of Downtown Markdale Visioning Sessions - Workshop #1 (May 6, 2021) |
Please click here to view the presentation delivered by The Planning Partnership.
Session 1 - 1:00 pm Session 2 - 4:00 pm |
Situational Analysis |
The Planning Partnership began its work on the Downtown Markdale Visioning Project by interviewing Council members and a few key stakeholders to provide some overall context to the project and, at a high level, start to identify some of the opportunities and challenges that may influence the project. An overview of these preliminary findings can be found here. |