Downtown Renewal - Project and construction planning
We've been assessing the needs and planning for the future of Downtown Guelph
We're replacing aging infrastructure and improving active transportation and pedestrian spaces throughout Downtown.
Downtown Renewal is the overall project that covers the various improvements and upgrades that will be made in Downtown Guelph.
One of the projects that lives under Downtown Renewal is Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program (DTIRP). As one part of the DTIRP process, we conducted the initial needs assessment and construction planning for the project overall. While that work is wrapping up, this page is always open to share information and listen to community needs when it comes to planning for a downtown that the people and businesses find livable, lovable, workable and playable.
The assessment and planning process laid the foundation for different sub-projects that will move us forward in the renewal program.
Scroll down to find the various phases of work involved in the assessment and planning part of the process. You can learn about engagement and decisions that happened along the way by clicking on individual phase numbers.
Navigating to the Downtown Renewal sub-projects.
To learn about the rest of the Downtown Renewal program, visit the various street-specific sub-projects to stay up to date and involved on the parts of Downtown that matter to you most.
Watch for the Macdonell and Quebec Street design process to begin soon.
Downtown Guelph is the heart of our city.
About the project:
Downtown revitalization area
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.
Who's Listening
Reg Russwurm, Manager, Design and Construction, City of Guelph
Tracy Suerich, Community Engagement Advisor, City of Guelph
Downtown Renewal beyond the infrastructure project
The Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program 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.
Other projects of note include:
Please note: This project began in an older version of our website. Some of the tools and information may appear different than originally designed.
Open for participation
Phases
Construction planning: public survey
What we did
Residents and businesses were asked to complete different surveys to help us understand different needs and to ask some more focused questions for each group. both surveys were available between March 18 and April 13, 2023, though they had to be shown as different project phases in the timeline on this site.
We also held a public open house of March 27, 2024 to discuss construction impacts and planning in-person.
The results from both business and resident surveys and in-person conversations for this and the following phase can be found in our Capital Implementation Plan final report. and the What We Heard report on our website
Downtown Renewal is about creating a place for everyone. Downtown Guelph is and will continue to be the heart of our city. We're working to improve and upgrade Downtown's roads, sewers, watermains, sidewalks, cycling facilities and streetscape to replace aging infrastructure and make our Downtown even more resilient, welcoming, and lovable.
While construction isn't starting until 2026, we're planning that construction now, deciding first on:
- how construction will be phased (what areas will be constructed together and when),
- the pace of the construction (fast or slower-paced), and
- associated impacts and costs.
This detailed planning is being developed through a Capital Implementation Plan, which will help guide the work through construction. Construction pace and phasing aren't all we're planning to do to reduce the impacts of construction, but it is certainly one of the first and most important pieces.
We'd like to hear your voice in this planning process. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey after reviewing the potential options we’re considering. All comments will be part of the project record (except for personal information) and will be carefully considered.
If you own or operate a business Downtown, please complete the business survey instead.
Upcoming and ongoing events
Past events
Event date: August 21st, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
2 Wyndham Street North
Event date: July 17th, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
8 Douglas Street
Event date: June 19th, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
82 Yarmouth St
1 registrant
Event date: May 15th, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Wimpy's Diner Guelph
Event date: May 1st, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Guelph City Hall
Event date: October 2nd, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Guelph City Hall
Event date: April 3rd, 2024 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Event date: March 27th, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
1 Carden Street
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