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<\/p>\nRendering shows proposed vision for the Living Arts Centre property and other downtown city-owned lands. In addition to main components that include a new performing arts centre and a large hotel and convention facility (lower left and middle, respectively), the redevelopment plan calls for urban parkland areas, internal courtyards, open green space, water features and rooftop patios. (Image: City of Mississauga)<\/p>\n
A new performing arts centre that would rival the largest in Canada and a highrise hotel and convention facility as big as 500,000 square feet are highlights of a sweeping plan to dramatically transform Mississauga\u2019s downtown for generations to come.<\/p>\n
The new-look downtown core of Canada\u2019s seventh-largest city, should it come to fruition in the years ahead, would rise up on 12 acres of City of Mississauga-owned land just steps to the north of city hall and anchored by the large parcel of real estate currently occupied by the Living Arts Centre, senior city staff said in a potentially game-changing report to be discussed at city council next Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cMississauga\u2019s downtown is at a pivotal moment of transformation, driven by major transit investments, sustained population and employment growth, and increasing demand for culture, tourism and employment infrastructure,\u201d Andrew Whittemore, the city\u2019s planning and building commissioner, said in a report on council\u2019s March 11 agenda titled Proposed Vision for the Living Arts Centre Property & Downtown City-Owned Lands. \u201cCity-owned lands, particularly the LAC property and surrounding civic lands, represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the downtown\u2019s long-term economic, cultural and civic role.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Rendering of what a new downtown Mississauga could look like. (Image: City of Mississauga)<\/p>\n
Core components of the proposed vision include:<\/p>\n
A new state-of-the-art music hub that would include a 2,500-to-5,000-capacity performance venue to replace the LAC (current capacity of 1,120 rising to 1,680), recording studios and a music school located on the 3.4-acre Community Common park parcel of land.
\nA 400,000-to-500,000-sq.-ft. convention centre and hotel to be \u201cpositioned as a regional economic and tourism catalyst.\u201d The highrise hotel would include some 400 rooms.
\nNew nine-storey office and 20-storey rental housing developments to support employment growth and downtown vitality.
\nA redesigned and widened Princess Royal Drive and abutting atrium-style open space \u201cthat will prioritize programming and events and retail activity to animate the downtown and to generate more pedestrian activity.\u201d
\nA precinct-based parking strategy including 1,500 to 3,000 new underground parking spaces beneath Community Common \u201cto support shared civic, cultural and commercial uses and tunnel connections.\u201d
\nA signature Sky Park and enhanced programmable Community Common urban park, \u201cstrengthening downtown open space and civic identity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Should city council support the vision for the downtown core, staff will then develop a project plan to begin the work, Whittemore noted in his report, with a commitment to return with both a plan and further analysis early in 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout this process, council direction and input will be regularly sought,\u201d the planning commissioner added. \u201cAs part of the project plan, robust public, business and stakeholder consultation will be undertaken to ensure all affected voices are heard.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A plan to be discussed next week at city council calls for the Living Arts Centre, which opened in 1997, to be replaced with a much larger venue.<\/p>\n
The report also pointed out that a \u201credeveloped LAC precinct is expected to generate an additional $1.7 to $2 million annually in Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) revenues, providing a stable and recurring funding source to reinvest in tourism, culture and destination development.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s MAT fund collects money via visitors to the city paying a six per cent tax during short-term stays.<\/p>\n
Initially, the city revealed plans last year to redevelop the area around the LAC<\/a>, Mississauga\u2019s largest performing arts and culture facility, and simply improve \u2014 but not replace \u2014 the performing arts venue itself.<\/p>\n