Brantford City Council created a new Downtown Brantford Improvement Task Force (DBITF) a few months ago.
The task force was creates in response to concerns related to social challenges in the city’s downtown core that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The goal of the task force is to focus on developing actions that the City and community partners will collectively implement to improve the health, vitality and resiliency of the downtown core. The task force’s primary objective is to develop a Downtown Improvement Action Plan that is informed by expert stakeholders and public input.
The plan will include strategies to provide additional supports to vulnerable populations including individuals experiencing homelessness, those with substance use disorders, and persons struggling with mental health and addiction challenges. Priority will also be placed on enhancing safety and security, as well as enhancing tourism, arts, culture, music, entertainment and community events to attract businesses, residents and visitors to the city’s downtown.
As the task force begins their work, the City is seeking input from residents regarding the types of things the Task Force should be focusing their efforts on. The public is encouraged to provide their input by joining the conversation and completing a survey at https://letstalkbrantford.ca/DowntownImprovement.
Members of the public are also invited to take part in one of two Downtown Improvement Community Town Halls that will be offered virtually on Tuesday October 19. Please visit https://letstalkbrantford.ca/DowntownImprovement to register to speak at the meeting. The public engagement period will be open until October 22, 2021.
The Brantford Downtown Improvement Task Force is made up of representatives across several sectors including (but not limited to):
- Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant
- Brant County Health Unit
- Brantford Police Services
- Brantford Public Library
- City of Brantford
- Conestoga College
- Downtown Brantford Business Improvement Association (DBBIA)
- Downtown Central Neighbourhood Association
- MPP Will Bouma
- Wilfrid Laurier University
