Uxbridge Mayor Barton highlights downtown work at latest meeting

DAN CEARNS The Standard

UXBRIDGE: Mayor Dave Barton defended his council’s reputation for downtown improvement at a meeting on Monday, September 16th.

The conversation occurred when councillors saw a report on the municipality’s Downtown Revitalization Strategic Plan.

“The Downtown Revitalization Strategic Plan and Action Plan was completed in 2022. Since the completion of the Plan, the Township has worked to implement the Plan’s vision, goals and key actions. This includes the preparation of conceptual drawings of future redevelopment [of] the Downtown, including a Town Square, to serve as tools to communicate the vision and key characteristics of Downtown to future developers and private property owners. In addition, the Township has coordinated with the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority (LSRCA) to put in place regulations to allow the development of properties no longer impacted by the floodplain as a result of the completion of a construction project to replace a series of large culverts under Brock Street East in the Downtown,” the report stated.

Mayor Barton said there appears to be a perception out there council is doing nothing to improve Uxbridge’s downtown area, including Toronto Street, Main Street and Brock Street.

“We often hear criticism, whether in the paper or online, that we’re not doing anything to support our downtown. When you think of the plans we put in place, and you consider the expropriations, we are doing the most aggressive tactic you can take,” Mayor Barton explained.

He also stressed the municipality is “doing everything possible in order to move this project forward.”