Engagement opportunities are open!

Check out the Engagement Opportunities section below for more information or complete our online activities

• St. Georges Square Design lab: to identify and propose features for future design considerations
• drop in December 9 for an open house about bridges and water structures in and over the Speed River at Macdonell as well as other Downtown related projects.
• Find our team at the monthly Construction Cafe to talk 1 on 1 about the project

Downtown Guelph is the heart of our city. It’s a place where residents and visitors come to live, work, play, and love. We’re going to make it even better and breathe new life to our Downtown.

We have a vibrant and thriving Downtown, and we want it to stay that way for years to come. We also have aging water and sewer pipes, roads and sidewalks that must be replaced; some of the underground pipes are over 100 years old! We’re replacing our aging infrastructure and upgrading utility services, and, before we put the roads back together, we’ll also have an opportunity to modernize the streetscape.

Improving this important Downtown infrastructure will allow us to provide better community-driven service and help support the economic vitality of our vibrant Downtown core.

However, work like this takes time. It takes years to research, engage with the community, create a dependable plan, and replace the infrastructure. This necessary renewal work will ultimately improve our Downtown for all businesses, residents, and visitors. Let’s work together to create a place for everyone in Downtown Guelph.

The Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program project is one of many exciting projects under the overarching Downtown Renewal efforts. The overall Downtown Renewal program will transform and revitalize how Downtown looks, feels and functions while still preserving its unique cultural heritage, which will make it future-ready to continue supporting growth to 2051 and beyond.

Planning phase

Planning for Downtown Infrastructure Renewal began in the spring of 2021. During the planning phase, we’re looking at the existing infrastructure and the future needs of Downtown Guelph to determine what needs updating..

As part of the planning work, we initiated two Municipal Class Environment Assessments (EAs). Environmental assessments involve collaborating with the community to support the planning and decision-making for large-scale projects. These EAs looked at various options for traffic flow, pedestrian areas and public spaces in Downtown streets, and the bridge and dam structures along Macdonell.

• The Wyndham Street EA examined the function of the road for all users including the number of traffic lanes and available active transportation infrastructure.
• The Macdonell and Allan Dam structures EA across the Speed River is being completed to confirm required improvements and the preferred solution for each.

In February 2024, City Council approved the Wyndham Street North cross-section and St. George’s Square reconstruction, which came from the original Wyndham EA. The Macdonell and Allan Dam structures EA will be brought to Council for consideration in early 2025, as this work is still being completed.

We have started to work on the final design of the first phase of construction for Downtown Infrastructure Renewal and will finalize that design in 2025. Construction will start in 2026.

The overall design and construction process for this infrastructure renewal is likely to last over the next few decades.

Project study area

Engagement opportunities

Join us for a Construction Café

On the third Thursday of every month, or project team will be at a different downtown café to meet with downtown businesses, hear your questions and share information. Drop in to have a chat in the morning. Coffee's on us!
Check out the 'More Information' section below to find out where and when to find us this month!

Share your ideas for St. George’s Square online in the Design Lab

St. George’s Square is the heart of Downtown Guelph. We have a once-in-a generation opportunity to reimagine how people can experience this space at the intersection of Wyndham and Quebec/Douglas streets. Beyond making St. George’s Square an area that is clean and safe for all, we are looking for your thoughts on the design of the space and how you can see yourself using it in the future.

launch the St. George's Square Design lab to share your thoughts before December 22.

Mark your calendars! December 9 open house:
On Monday, drop by City Hall (1 Carden St.) on December 9 between 6 to 8 p.m. We're hosting an open house featuring several Downtown Renewal projects, including:

• Macdonell and Allan's Dam Environmental Assessment
• St. George's Square
• Downtown Building Heights Study
• Downtown Waste
• Downtown Guelph Heritage Conservation District Study

More engagement dates and announcements coming soon!

• In the new year, we will talk even more about St. George's Square and designs for Wyndham Street.

Past Engagement and how the project has progressed

A summary of past engagement activities and what we heard from 2022 until our most recent phase of engagement can be found in the “Documents” panel on the right-hand side of this page, including:

• Fall 2022 engagement summary (coming soon!)
• Spring 2024 engagement summary
• Fall 2023 engagement summary
• Summer 2023 engagement summary
• Fall 2022 engagement summary
• Summer 2022 engagement summary

How to reach us:

We're always here to answer your questions. Please reach out any time at mydowntown@guelph.ca. We'll get back to you within a few business days.

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