The city’s purchase of a wide swath of downtown Sudbury’s south district is “attracting interest from developers,” according to a report by city Planning Services director Kris Longston.
This interest includes “those with experience in building hotels and commercial spaces,” his report noted. “Leveraging this momentum will help secure further investments that are well-suited for the properties near the event centre.”
When the city started buying downtown Sudbury properties in 2023, it was for a $200-million ($225-million including land and costs sunk into the since-cancelled Kingsway Entertainment District) event centre, plus private ancillary services on adjoining land.
“Just doing a standalone and hoping that the private sector steps in and buys these properties and develops them will never happen,” Mayor Paul Lefebvre said at the time.
Once work on the Downtown Master Plan concludes by the end of the year and sets an overarching vision for the city’s downtown core, Longston’s report recommends that they launch an expression of interest and request for proposals by March 2026 seeking private sector investment opportunities. According to Longston’s report, this would include:
- Identifying the size and location of the city-owned properties available for development.
- Soliciting projects that align with the stated vision and goals outlined in the updated Downtown Master Plan.
- Defining opportunities targeting desired offerings such as hotels and mixed-use development.
- Outlining evaluation criteria for how proposals will be reviewed for alignment with the city’s stated objectives.
- Providing additional information such as results of geotechnical work and financial incentives available through the downtown community improvement plan programs, including the 20-year tax increment equivalent grant.
- Equivalent Grant Program for a parking structure.
Respondents will be asked to provide such things as their proposed concept and details regarding how it aligns with the Downtown Master Plan.
Meanwhile, Longston’s report recommends that the city continue work to ready the CP Rail station for future use. The building, at 233 Elgin St., is owned by CP Rail and leased by the city.
The CP Rail station, built in 1907, is protected under the federal Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act. It is also on the City of Greater Sudbury’s Heritage Register.
There’s also the question of what to do with the more than 70-year-old Sudbury Community Arena when the event centre opens, which is planned to happen by 2028.
Though city council hasn’t decided whether to maintain or tear down the building, Longston’s report notes that its demolition would cost approximately $5 million. This, and its replacement with temporary surface parking, will be included for consideration in the 2026-27 budget.
“It is recommended that staff continue to explore opportunities for the adaptive reuse of the existing Sudbury Community Arena through the Downtown Master Plan and future south district expression of interest processes,” according to Longston’s report.
On this front, he also recommends integrating artifacts from the Sudbury Community Arena into the new event centre “to reflect the people and the history of the building and the experiences of its users.”
Greater Sudbury city council will vote during their July 15 meeting on whether to accept the recommendations in Longston’s report.
If their vote’s in the affirmative, an update on the south district’s development potential will be presented to city council by March 2026, and budget deliberations later this year will include a business case for the demolition of the Sudbury Community Arena upon completion of the event centre.
The July 15 city council meeting can be viewed in-person at Tom Davies Square or livestreamed by clicking here.
Work is currently underway with utility companies to do planned relocations to make way for the event centre, and city Strategic Projects Lead Tony Cecutti told Sudbury.com last month that “heavy construction” isn’t expected to start until early 2026.
The downtown Sudbury south district up for discussion is enclosed by Brady Street to the north, Paris Street to the east, the railroad tracks to the south and Grey Street to the west.
Much of the land is city-owned, minus the Sudbury Theatre Centre, Samaritan Centre and the CP Rail station.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
