• Stouffville unveiled the 30 percent preliminary design for its Downtown Revitalization and Main Street reconstruction project at a public open house on June 17.
  • The project area spans Edward Street to Park Drive, focusing on upgrading underground infrastructure and enhancing the streetscape.
  • Major goals include improved walkability, accessibility, greening, and readiness for future redevelopment.
  • Updated designs introduced an expanded public realm and new landscaping zones.
  • Technical assessments revealed deteriorating storm, sanitary, and water infrastructure, necessitating replacement.
  • A third open house is expected in fall 2025, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2026.

 

Stouffville residents had another opportunity to weigh in on the future of Downtown Main Street during a second public open house held June 17 at 19 on the Park. The session marked a significant milestone for the Town’s Downtown Revitalization and Main Street reconstruction project, with Accardi Engineering Group unveiling their 30 percent preliminary design.

​​The initiative, years in the making, aims to transform the stretch of Main Street between Edward Street and Park Drive. The Town has outlined broad goals for the project, including creating a more inviting public realm and supporting long-term redevelopment throughout the area.

Stated objectives include strengthening the Downtown’s identity, encouraging walkability, evaluating parking provisions, and incorporating green infrastructure. Improving accessibility and sustainability are also key elements.

But at its core, the Revitalization project is a major infrastructure replacement effort.

Engineering evaluations have revealed serious issues beneath the surface. Existing watermains, composed of aging cast and ductile iron, have experienced three recent breaks. The storm sewer network is significantly deteriorated, showing corrosion, joint separation, and sediment accumulation. The sanitary sewer, which is made of vitrified clay, is extensively cracked.

The proposed upgrades include full replacement and upsizing of the watermain, sanitary, and storm systems to increase service capacity, ensure reliability, and mitigate flood risks during heavy rainfall.

The 30 percent design also introduces a range of public realm enhancements intended to improve user experience. Wider boulevard areas would allow for broader sidewalks, added landscaping, and more functional open spaces. Angled curb extensions and redesigned laneways are also planned to improve traffic flow, accommodate parking access, and facilitate bus operations.

However, traffic assessments presented at the open house found Main Street too narrow for dedicated bike lanes. Additional traffic data will be collected to guide future decisions on signalling and pedestrian crossings.

“Reaching the 30 percent design milestone means we’ve established the foundational layout and functional elements of the revitalized Downtown,” Mandy Paglia, Manager of Capital Projects, said in comments to Bullet Point News. “This includes confirming infrastructure needs, minimum lane configurations, and general streetscape concepts such as sidewalk widths, patio zones, and low-impact development strategies.”

“It’s about aligning the vision with technical feasibility,” she added.

Presented design specifications call for 3.3-metre traffic lanes. The cross-section also displayed 1.5-metre sidewalks and a 1.4-metre landscape and streetlight buffer between pedestrians and the roadway. On-street parking would maintain its current orientation at 2.5 metres in width, with an additional 0.5-metre buffer separating parked vehicles from moving traffic.

Curb bump-outs and sidewalk extensions are prominently featured to improve pedestrian visibility and safety. Landscape elements under consideration include tree plantings, permeable paving options, and bioretention areas to help manage stormwater runoff.

The updated designs, now available in a document posted to the Town’s consultation website, build on the earlier layout concept presented to the public in 2022.

“The current designs reflect updated technical assessments and renewed community engagement. While the core revitalization goals remain consistent…the latest concepts introduce more refined boulevard designs, enhanced stormwater features, and a more integrated approach to greening and pedestrian safety,” said Paglia. “It’s an evolution of the earlier work, not a departure.”

With the 30 percent design stage complete, the project team will now move into more detailed work. A third public open house is anticipated for fall 2025 to present the 60 percent design for further community input.

“At 60 percent design, we move into the finer details: completing geotechnical investigations, selecting materials, designing pedestrian crossings, and finalizing streetscape features such as tree pits, bump-outs, and stormwater management elements,” Paglia said. “It’s a crucial stage where feedback from the community is integrated and design becomes more construction-ready, paving the way for a smooth transition into implementation.”

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in late 2026.

*Cover image taken from Accardi Engineering Group’s 30% design drawing