Downtown Urban Plaza

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Project Overview

The Town of Stouffville is advancing an exciting new initiative to enhance the downtown core with the creation of an Urban Plaza at 6240 Main Street, adjacent to the Village of Stouffville wall mural. This project will transform an underutilized parking area into a welcoming, people-focused public space designed to support community connection, local businesses, and cultural programming.

The conceptual design was prepared by Riley Rogers, a Stouffville resident and Landscape Architecture student at the University of Guelph. Riley approached the Town to contribute a design as part of his professional portfolio, and has generously provided full support for the Town to use the concept in the development of this community space.

Features of the Plaza

The Urban Plaza has been designed to create a vibrant, multi-use environment that encourages residents and visitors to gather, relax, and enjoy Main Street. Key features of the design include:

Flexible Seating and Shaded Areas – Modular seating, picnic-style tables, and shade elements to accommodate individuals, families, and groups.

Performance Shed – A small covered structure intended to host local performers and community events during the summer and fall evenings.

Interactive Amenities – Portable games and activity spaces that create a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

Green Enhancements – Trees, planters, and landscaped areas to add natural elements, shade, and visual interest.

Community Information Wall – A dedicated space to promote local businesses, programs, and cultural events.

Adaptable Surfaces and Infrastructure – Designed for year-round use with durable, low-maintenance materials and flexible layouts for seasonal programming.

Parking Considerations

As part of the planning process, the Town carefully examined the impact of converting this space from parking to public use. To ensure parking availability remains sufficient, the Town has secured a lease at 0 Library Lane, which will be rehabilitated to replace displaced parking spots. This ensures that both residents and visitors will continue to have convenient access to downtown amenities while benefiting from a new public space.

Project Benefits

The Urban Plaza project represents a significant investment in downtown vibrancy and placemaking. Benefits include:

Supporting Local Business: Encourages visitors to extend their time downtown, increasing opportunities for shopping and dining.

Cultural Activation: Provides a dedicated venue for small-scale performances and community programming.

Community Building: Creates a welcoming and inclusive space for residents and visitors of all ages.

Sustainable Growth: Reimagines existing infrastructure for greater community benefit while ensuring parking demand is addressed.

Local Talent Recognition: Highlights the work of a Stouffville resident and student, reinforcing community pride.

Next Steps

The Town will proceed with detailed design, site preparation, and rehabilitation of the 0 Library Lane parking area. Seasonal programming and partnership opportunities will be developed to ensure the plaza is animated and well utilized, particularly during the summer and fall months.

Project Overview

The Town of Stouffville is advancing an exciting new initiative to enhance the downtown core with the creation of an Urban Plaza at 6240 Main Street, adjacent to the Village of Stouffville wall mural. This project will transform an underutilized parking area into a welcoming, people-focused public space designed to support community connection, local businesses, and cultural programming.

The conceptual design was prepared by Riley Rogers, a Stouffville resident and Landscape Architecture student at the University of Guelph. Riley approached the Town to contribute a design as part of his professional portfolio, and has generously provided full support for the Town to use the concept in the development of this community space.

Features of the Plaza

The Urban Plaza has been designed to create a vibrant, multi-use environment that encourages residents and visitors to gather, relax, and enjoy Main Street. Key features of the design include:

Flexible Seating and Shaded Areas – Modular seating, picnic-style tables, and shade elements to accommodate individuals, families, and groups.

Performance Shed – A small covered structure intended to host local performers and community events during the summer and fall evenings.

Interactive Amenities – Portable games and activity spaces that create a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

Green Enhancements – Trees, planters, and landscaped areas to add natural elements, shade, and visual interest.

Community Information Wall – A dedicated space to promote local businesses, programs, and cultural events.

Adaptable Surfaces and Infrastructure – Designed for year-round use with durable, low-maintenance materials and flexible layouts for seasonal programming.

Parking Considerations

As part of the planning process, the Town carefully examined the impact of converting this space from parking to public use. To ensure parking availability remains sufficient, the Town has secured a lease at 0 Library Lane, which will be rehabilitated to replace displaced parking spots. This ensures that both residents and visitors will continue to have convenient access to downtown amenities while benefiting from a new public space.

Project Benefits

The Urban Plaza project represents a significant investment in downtown vibrancy and placemaking. Benefits include:

Supporting Local Business: Encourages visitors to extend their time downtown, increasing opportunities for shopping and dining.

Cultural Activation: Provides a dedicated venue for small-scale performances and community programming.

Community Building: Creates a welcoming and inclusive space for residents and visitors of all ages.

Sustainable Growth: Reimagines existing infrastructure for greater community benefit while ensuring parking demand is addressed.

Local Talent Recognition: Highlights the work of a Stouffville resident and student, reinforcing community pride.

Next Steps

The Town will proceed with detailed design, site preparation, and rehabilitation of the 0 Library Lane parking area. Seasonal programming and partnership opportunities will be developed to ensure the plaza is animated and well utilized, particularly during the summer and fall months.

Page published: 08 Sep 2025, 12:56 PM