BRAMPTON: The City of Brampton, together with its partners the Downtown Brampton Business Improvement Area (BIA) and 8 80 Cities, have transformed Vivian Lane into a vibrant destination for people of all ages as part of the broader Activate Downtown Brampton program supported by the My Main Street Community Activator Program.
Vivian Lane has been transformed with a colourful new ground mural designed and produced by local artist Abiola Idowu. He was assisted by over 40 community volunteers, creating a public space that fosters connection and social exchange. The laneway also features new pop-up trees, flexible seating, sandboxes, lighting, and decorative yarn bombing.
Through Activate Downtown Brampton, Vivian Lane has been programmed with a variety of activities for all ages including musical performances, art workshops, dementia friendly community experiences, chess lessons, a pop-up night market, and a wellness market. Much more is planned for September!
Activate Downtown Brampton started in May 2022, has included free weekly musical activations every Saturday in various gathering spaces across the downtown. Activations have been ongoing during the summer and the Vivian Lane programming will continue through to the end of September.
The Activate Downtown Brampton programs will be running until October 11.
The My Main Street Community Activator is a two-year, $23.25 million investment by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (F
edDev Ontario) that is being delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO).
The City’s Integrated Downtown Plan (IDP) is a roadmap for action coordinating Downtown Brampton’s many ongoing initiatives and infrastructure projects while guiding future growth and strategic investment.
The IDP team also helps deliver meanwhile strategies – stimulating and leveraging the short-term, cultural value of “place”.
Downtown Brampton is undergoing a massive transformation, beginning with construction by the Region of Peel to replace watermain and sanitary sewers in the area, followed by the City’s work to replace and widen sidewalks, and repair and resurface roads.
Mayor Patrick Brown said: “Together with our partners, we’re working to revitalize and unlock the potential of Downtown Brampton by creating quality urban spaces and an enhanced pedestrian realm. Thank you to the residents who have taken part in Activate Downtown Brampton events this summer and I encourage those who have not had the chance to join in on the fun see how we are improving our public spaces.”
Carrie Leigh Percival, Chair, Downtown Brampton BIA, said: “We are so excited to be working in collaboration with the City of Brampton and 8 80 Cities to activate our downtown this summer and fall and support our amazing local businesses through community placemaking efforts.”