Anticipated to open in late 2027, the Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square project’s anchor partners aren’t expected to make use of the entirety of 200 Brady St.
With roughly half of the third floor and the entirety of the fourth floor unaccounted for in preliminary floor plans, there’s space up for grabs, leaving the city seeking tenants.
This is the premise of a report by city Economic Development director Meredith Armstrong, which was tabled this week for the May 13 city council meeting.
The final size and location of available spaces has yet to be determined, as well as the value and rental rates the city will charge when tenant spaces are move-in ready by early 2028.
The two-phase application process will begin by seeking expressions of interest, followed by the city narrowing in on shortlisted candidates for further discussion.
“Applicants will be asked to demonstrate how they align with the Cultural Hub mandate and service offerings and their contributions to the overall Cultural Hub vision,” according to Armstrong’s report.
The vision in question is laid out in seven key principles:
- Third Space: A space that you do not seek out intentionally or need a reason to be in. A space that allows for the process of discovery while you are there.
- Welcome in Every Language: Safe and welcoming. Newcomers can get the services they need.
- Open to All: No closed doors, eliminate barriers.
- Useful / Useable / Desirable: Optimize the patron’s experience. Create opportunity.
- A Beacon: Signifying the Cultural Hub as a destination.
- Civic Space: A whole civic place, bringing space for people, signaling the maturity of a city.
- Protected Space: Climate controlled programmed space.
The request for expressions of interest will launch later this year, and an internal municipal team will evaluate phase one submissions to create a shortlist of applicants. These shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in the second phase of the selection process.
“Those organizations with viable operations and space needs may be invited to enter into agreements to formalize lease arrangements in partnership with the city within the Cultural Hub,” according to Armstrong’s report.
A public call-out for interested organizations and community groups will be shared later this year, and Armstrong’s report notes that staff will support organizations by answering questions about the application process.
Anchor partners include the Greater Sudbury Public Library, the Art Gallery of Sudbury, the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association and the City of Greater Sudbury.
The project will see most municipal offices shift from 200 Brady St. to the upper floors of 199 Larch St. to make way for a new central library which will take up much of the bottom three floors of 200 Brady Street. 199 Larch St. houses provincial offices and is roughly half vacant.
Certain municipal services will remain in place at 200 Brady St., including council chambers and the one-stop-shop service centre. The Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association will receive some main-floor space for their operations.
Meanwhile, the Art Gallery of Sudbury is slated to take up the bottom four floors of 199 Larch St.
The two buildings are connected with a shared hub space, with a trio of architects proposed to extend this common space with a tall ceiling slated to punch above this section’s current single-storey roof.
“Effective partnerships will play a key role in ensuring the success and long-term sustainability of the project, enabling shared risks and responsibilities and creating a sense of ownership and identity in the project,” according to Meredith’s report.
“The completed facility will deliver game-changing, innovative and transformative spaces to serve the community through improved access to public spaces, a celebration of Greater Sudbury’s diversity, and a vibrant and healthier community.”
Construction is anticipated to begin later this year, and the city anticipates a construction period of approximately 18 months.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.