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Development groups set out vision for downtown

BY JASON THOMPSON [email protected] Three organizations with an interest in the downtown core have come together to announce their vision for the development of the downtown, along with the initiatives they hope will make it happen.
BY JASON THOMPSON

Three organizations with an interest in the downtown core have come together to announce their vision for the development of the downtown, along with the initiatives they hope will make it happen.

At a news conference Wednesday morning, the three groups - Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC), Downtown Sudbury and the Downtown Vollage Development Corporation (DVDC) not only outlined their vision but the guiding principles to help direct dscision making.

The five principles focus on making arts and culture a part of the downtown, preseving local heritage, emphasizing innovative design for buildings and public spaces, making the downtown more inviting and ensuring that any development is environmentally sustainable.

"In my view, the key to a thriving downtown is connections," said Mayor Dave Courtemanche. "The connection to the surrounding neighbourhoods, connections to key economic strategy, connections to our natural assets such as Ramsay Lake."

In their report, the group lists a number of initiatives that could be developed within the context of the guiding principles including an art gallery, an aboriginal centre, a performing arts centre, the construciton of condominiums and lofts and improved links to natural areas near the downtown.

No word however about how these improvements will be funded or how soon Sudburians can witness the downtown revolution. City council will hear the downtown report at their Thursday meeting.

"At this point we have a common sense of values and a vision we all share, hopefully city council will support that vision," said Courtemnache.

With council blessing, Courtemanche said the three groups will then determine what the priorities are and ways to put them into action.

"It won't be just government, or just the private sector or just the local businesses that will make it happen, it's going to be a collective effort."

Tony Anselmo, president of downtown Sudbury, said he is pleased about the three groups working together to accomplish their goals.

"In the past, there was a lot of groups that had vision but not the direction," said Anselmo.

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