With the bricks and mortar now in place, Midland will begin the process of beautifying the downtown this spring.
To help out in that regard, the town has secured a $250,000 grant through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream.
The funds will be used to assist with streetscaping costs for the King Street Rejuvenation Project and will include items such as street furnishings, trees and plantings, and a public art installation to reinvigorate Midland’s distinctive and memorable downtown.
The RED program, which is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), provides cost-share funding that supports activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario, and helps increase rural economic development.
In late November, the town officially opened King Street to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, pronouncing the $14-million construction project that’s been talked about for years, but only really got moving into a possibility four years ago, a great success.
“The construction phase of the King Street Rejuvenation Project was completed on-time and on-budget through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing Midland with a modern, fully-accessible main street,” Mayor Stewart Strathearn said in a release.
“This funding will help ensure that the remaining beautification work to be completed in the spring will result in a beautifully enhanced and vibrant downtown, where residents will want to shop, live, work, be entertained and more.”
The ‘big dig’ project saw Midland’s main street dug up from Yonge Street north to Bayshore Drive, to replace underground infrastructure (storm/sanitary systems, and watermains), create a new road alignment that allows for a flexible configuration along the street for parking and events, and to make the roadway completely accessible with mountable curbs and upgraded traffic signals.
Strathearn said the town was able to combine a necessary project like completing infrastructure upgrades with one that creates better aesthetics and a more visually appealing downtown.
As well, he noted the town has rich history and as a focal point, King Street plays a large role.
“This rejuvenation project will help maintain this history and solidify Midland as a leader in Simcoe County and a top tourist destination.”
Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop said the RED program provides very tangible impacts on smaller communities like Midland across the province.
She added: “Supporting local jobs and removing barriers to investment and economic growth in rural communities is more important than ever.”
