Beefed-up security is at the core of a new agreement that’s expected to settle a years-long dispute between the city and a large plaza in Mississauga’s west end that’s become widely known for “dangerous nuisance gatherings,” excessive noise, parking concerns and other issues.
City of Mississauga officials said Wednesday afternoon the just-announced pact includes new measures that seek to “improve safety, support businesses and maintain a welcoming environment” at Ridgeway Plaza, located at Eglinton Avenue West and Ridgeway Drive in west Erin Mills.
The new measures are to be implemented immediately, the city said in a news release, noting “several actions (are) expected to be in place by May.”
The plaza has become known since opening in 2022 for “dangerous nuisance gatherings,” excessive noise, street racing, parking concerns and other issues, city officials said earlier.
Ridgeway Plaza (it’s actually two plazas — Erin Mills Centre and Platinum Centre) has been the subject of 112 public complaints since 2022, and the city had been looking at options to solve various issues at the location.
Known as a foodie destination, the plaza currently numbers 115 restaurants, according to a report presented earlier this year to the city’s planning and development committee.
Image shows location of Ridgeway Plaza (centre) and surrounding area.
City officials said Wednesday the deal with Ridgeway Plaza Condominium Corporations, which manages the plaza, comes after a recent mediation process and establishes a “formal compliance and security framework to reduce nuisance gatherings at Ridgeway Plaza and help maintain a safe, welcoming space for residents, visitors and local businesses.”
To ensure compliance with city safety standards, Mississauga officials say the Ridgeway condominium corporations will “independently fund and implement the following site improvements”:
Installation of security cameras, speed bumps and permanent access gates.
Additional “No Parking,” “No Trespassing” and “Video Surveillance” signs.
Increased security staffing on evenings when large celebrations are expected.
The City of Mississauga, meanwhile, will provide enhanced enforcement of parking regulations moving forward, officials said.
City and plaza will meet four times a year
In addition, the city and Ridgeway Plaza Condominium Corporations will meet four times a year to “monitor progress and make adjustments as needed,” the city added.
“Ridgeway Plaza is an important and valued part of our community and we appreciate the collaborative approach taken by the condominium boards to reach this agreement,” Mississauga Deputy Mayor and Ward 8 Coun. Matt Mahoney said. “Safety has always been our top priority and we’re confident these steps will help address the concerns raised by the community and keep plaza patrons safe while supporting the plaza’s diverse businesses.”
The condominium corporations that manage the plaza said in Wednesday’s news release they’re committed to ensuring “a safe, viable environment for our commercial tenants and their patrons. By making these necessary, privately-funded investments in security infrastructure, we are ensuring continued compliance with city bylaws and protecting the long-term value of Ridgeway Plaza.”
The city added the new measures at the plaza follow lengthy discussions between the two sides “to identify ways to improve safety and prevent nuisance gatherings.”
Over the past few years, city officials noted, “such gatherings have violated the city’s Nuisance Gathering Bylaw and interfered with road safety, traffic flow, emergency response and bylaw enforcement in and around the plaza. By making the outlined changes, the condominium corporations are ensuring the property continues to be in compliance with municipal bylaws while protecting the long-term viability of the plaza.”
Various events brought problems to plaza
In recent years, various events staged at Ridgeway Plaza have brought with them numerous problems that include loud music and other noise well into the late-night and early-morning hours, parking lot and street racing, fights, parking, the use of illegal fireworks and many other disturbances.
Numerous public complaints related to such late-night gatherings and traffic concerns at the plaza have been received since it opened.
Activities at the plaza have also drawn the eye of Peel Regional Police, who’ve paid considerable attention enforcement-wise to the plaza and surrounding neighbourhood in the past several years as disturbances, stunt driving, speeding and street racing have become regular occurrences.
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