Grand Trunk Renewal Project

🤔 Council discusses recommendations for 2026 work

📅 Council meeting: Monday, April 27, starting at 7 pm in the City Hall Council Chamber

Stratford’s Council and senior staff will consider three main recommendations on the priority work for the GTR project this year.

1. Invest $15 million in a shared community facility, anchored in partnerships with the YMCA of Three Rivers (Stratford location) and the Stratford Public Library. Other partner opportunities, location, and long-term operations will be assessed later.
2. Integrate the Grand Trunk site into the Downtown Parking Study, starting soon.
3. Launch a “market sounding” process to assess potential developer interest in the site’s desired features, including housing. This step gathers critical information needed before inviting full development bids through open, competitive procurement.

The recommendations reflect the Ad Hoc Committee’s direction over the past two years.

How to attend:

Residents are encouraged to attend in person or watch live online. Can’t catch the meeting? The session’s video and minutes will be available on the meeting page afterward.

Reference documents:

• Draft agenda package with:

1. Draft Management Report: overview of the project’s status and the details of the recommendations [PDF]
2. Draft consultant findings on building options and budget estimates:
   “The Grand Trunk Costing Report: Community Facilities and Grand Trunk Building” [PDF]

• See also the Workshops summary and presentations, which the Council will consider for decisions.
• 2018 Master Plan [PDF]
• 2025 report – “Exploring the Feasibility of a Community Complex as Part of the Grand Trunk Master Plan.” [PDF]

City Council and staff attend the first Grand Trunk workshop on January 27, 2006. In early 2026, Councillors attended three comprehensive, open workshops to deepen their understanding of municipally led development projects and explore options for advancing the Grand Trunk redevelopment. Topics covered included:

• General land development practices
• How communities define desired outcomes for major building sites and balance community benefit, feasibility, and risk
• Brownfield redevelopment
• Overview of the project vision and guiding principles
• Updates on the shared facility partnerships with the Stratford Public Library and YMCA
• Costing for superstructure options
• A long-term city financial plan update
• Partnership modelling for the shared community facility
• Parking and housing options for the site

The material and recordings of the public series are available for review. Note that no decisions are made at these sessions.

• Workshop #1 on January 27. Project foundation topics, including municipal development and Brownfields.
• Workshop #2 on February 26. Discusses partnerships, financial context, and investment since 2009.
• Workshop #3 on April 9. Summarizes the earlier workshops, presents the long-term municipal financial outlook, and provides management recommendations for Council’s consideration.

The information shared in these workshops will inform decision-making and help the Council confidently move from a conceptual/visioning phase to the next phase of this project.

Destination Stratford's LED "heart" on the GTR structure.

Share your project ideas and opinions with Councillors

A special Council meeting will be held on April 20 to hear public delegations. Speakers must register online and review the instructions for appearing as a delegation.

Formal recommendations will be considered at the April 27 Regular Council meeting.

Here is a brief update on the City of Stratford's Grand Trunk Renewal Project, which aims to revitalize the 18-acre former industrial property just outside of the downtown core (also known as the Cooper site) that once housed locomotive repair shops.

1. Council’s Recent Decision and Why It Matters

• On July 14, 2025, Stratford City Council endorsed Scenario Two – “Keep Part” for the Grand Trunk Renewal Project.

• This approach retains a meaningful portion of the former Shops building as open-air space, preserving its heritage character while allowing flexibility for future development

• The decision aligns with the recommendation made by the Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee, which has been meeting regularly since early 2023 to provide advice and recommendations to Council on key components of the project

• You can find the report here: https://pub-stratford.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=beb89c33-5c5a-46c1-9d38-2819a6849f51&lang=English&Agenda=Agenda&Item=31&Tab=attachments
  
  

• The Committee, made up of community representatives, experts, and partner organizations, serves as an advisory body to City Council

• Its role is to wade through technical details, weigh options, and provide clear recommendations on the site’s development potential

• Through its working groups (e.g., Vision, Planning and Architecture), the Committee has reviewed high-level development scenarios, analyzed trade-offs, and helped shape the guiding principles for the project

• Council’s recent decision reflects the Committee’s June recommendation, showing the important role the group plays in informing Council’s direction

• The decision is also in line with recommendations in the 2018 Grand Trunk Master Plan
  
  

• Since 2023, the City and the Ad Hoc Committee have explored potential uses for the Grand Trunk site, including housing, a shared community facility, parking solutions, and public spaces

• Technical studies have evaluated the condition, costs, and potential adaptive reuse of the superstructure

• Community and stakeholder engagement—through workshops, surveys, and working groups—has been a key part of shaping the project vision

• Partnerships with the YMCA and Stratford Public Library have informed planning for a shared community facility, a central feature of the redevelopment vision
  
  

• Staff and consultants will now conduct detailed costing and feasibility studies for a shared community facility, evaluating:

  • A potential renovation of the existing YMCA, and
  • A new build on the Grand Trunk site

• The Vision, Planning, and Architecture (VPA) Working Group, in collaboration with other working groups, will lead the next phase of work to update the 2018 Grand Trunk Master Plan, including:

  • Reviewing the site plan based on Council’s direction and partner contributions
  • Identifying “early works” and studies needed to unlock redevelopment
  • Proposing phasing and timelines for the Grand Trunk site
• Key upcoming milestones:
  • August 25, 2025: Ad Hoc Committee meeting – Discussion on Master Plan revisions
  • September 15, 2025: Ad Hoc Committee meeting – Finalize Master Plan recommendations
  • October 14, 2025: City Council meeting – Review and consider Master Plan updates
    
    

• The Grand Trunk Renewal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform 18 acres of downtown Stratford into a vibrant mix of housing, community amenities, and public spaces

• The advisory work of the Ad Hoc Committee, combined with technical studies and Council’s oversight, ensures this project balances heritage preservation, community needs, and benefits

• Council’s decision on Scenario Two provides the foundation for progress, with phased development and ongoing community input as the project advances

• The retention of a part of the structure allows for early work to begin, while still allowing for possible creative future planning and uses

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the development of the Grand Trunk Renewal vision and guiding principles. Hundreds of you participated in the community pop-up events and through online activities. The committee reviewed insights from the community and prepared revised vision and guiding principles for the project.

Stratford City Council considered the vision and guiding principles at its September 23, 2204 meeting and has endorsed this work. You can find the report here: https://pub-stratford.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=6893

If you have not been able to see inside of the Grand Trunk Building, then you now have a way of being in the building from almost anywhere.

Artas Engineering & Design made a virtual tour of the building, and now it’s available to the public. You can find it here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=VPiAPBnXURA

Once the page loads, you will find yourself hovering over the Grand Trunk Building, then you will zoom in and find yourself directly on the building on the second level.

From that point, you can use your mouse or other navigational tools to move around the entire building.

In this way, you can experience and understand the building and the space – without actually physically being there.

We want you to see it and experience it because – like the entire Grand Trunk site – so much can happen in this place. As you move around in the virtual space, you can get a sense for the size, height and possibilities of the building.

The building, which is an unique historic building superstructure that was used for steam locomotive repair from the 1870s to the 1960s – tells the story of Stratford’s industrial growth and prosperity.

Although it looks very old and worn, the Grand Trunk Building was inspected by structural engineers and found to be in very good condition. The steel frame of the building will last for a very long time and meets the standards for a stand-alone building of its type.

The building and the larger site presents unprecedented opportunities for Stratford and its residents. It is the biggest undeveloped site in the downtown – by a considerable amount.

The City prepared the 2018 Master Plan for the Grand Trunk Renewal Site which provides a framework for phased reinvestment of the building and the site. The Master Plan calls for the building to be adapted for new uses and not be demolished.

For answers to frequently-asked questions about the Site and its future, you can access the FAQs here: https://engagestratford.ca/grand-trunk-renewal/widgets/165911/faqs

Renewing and revitalizing the Grand Trunk site will be a huge, long-term project. It is crucial that the community be involved in shaping what happens here. The 2018 Master Plan for the site contains a Vision and Guiding Principles that is being refreshed to ensure it reflects the goals and principles that will guide redevelopment of the Grand Trunk site. The Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee has prepared a set of draft guiding principles you can read them below and comment through the survey on this site!

WHY:
The Grand Trunk Site and building will be transformed into a generational asset that will support Stratford’s goals of being a great place to live — a prosperous, inclusive, sustainable, and welcoming community to everyone.

The Grand Trunk Renewal process will begin by updating the project’s original Vision Statement and Guiding Principles, which will outline what outcomes should be achieved in developing the site and the values that should guide the development’s decision-making.

HOW:
We will go about the Grand Trunk Renewal in ways that:

• Honour our Truth and Reconciliation responsibilities
• Build on Stratford's many strengths
• Leverage the City’s infrastructure investment
• Follow a sound business plan & financial model
• Contribute to Stratford’s prosperity
• Ensure the Grand Trunk site welcomes and inspires us
• Adopt new and innovative approaches to building community
• Align with Stratford’s priorities and strategies
• Cultivate positive relationships with partners

WHAT:
The Grand Trunk Site will be:

SUSTAINABLE + FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE

Create a More Sustainable & Resilient Community

The Grand Trunk development will ensure environmental, social, and financial sustainability by:

• Adopting leading sustainability technologies to achieve net-zero carbon emissions
• Generating new revenue for the City
• Pursuing partnerships that serve the community

CELEBRATE PAST + FUTURE FORWARD
Design with a Focus on the Past, Present, and Future

Our approach will encourage designs that honour the past, address current needs, and prepare for the future. The story of Stratford’s community, resilience and reinvention will be reflected by:

• Celebrating the site’s history and heritage, including new uses for the Grand Trunk Building
• Responding to current needs with forward-looking solutions
• Creating benefits for the entire community, Downtown, and Grand Trunk site
• Ensuring that buildings and spaces can adapt to changes in both our community and the climate

INSPIRING + EXHILARATING
Create a dynamic new place and experience in Stratford

Transformation of the Grand Trunk Site will harness the energy of this community to create a new place for all to explore and enjoy by:

• Fostering a sense of welcoming and belonging
• Promoting playfulness, curiosity, and gathering
• Celebrating and inspiring innovation, culture, and creativity
• Creating new energy, experiences, and opportunities

DISTINCT + DIVERSE
Design distinct urban spaces and places

Utilize the site to offer a new and exciting urban environment by:

• Incorporating higher-density buildings to provide for diverse community needs, such as housing for all ages and abilities
• Celebrating the distinct attributes of the Grand Trunk site and its history
• Designing outdoor spaces to be enjoyable in all seasons and for all people
• Creating transit-friendly development that makes safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages

INCLUSIVE + CONNECTED
Create a Great Place to Live and Support Wellbeing

Within the Grand Trunk site, create new urban housing options that foster community by:

• Offering suitable, attainable, and affordable housing options
• Including amenities for everyday life, such as vibrant public spaces, access to shopping, services, and multiple transportation options
• Building safe and inclusive environments that are welcoming to all
• Connecting the Grand Trunk site to the downtown and surrounding neighbourhoods

INTEGRATED + MULTI-FUNCTIONAL
Create integrated, multi-purpose spaces and places

Optimize this public land with a vibrant mix of uses across the Grand Trunk Site, within buildings, and in each phase of development, including:

• Residential, commercial, retail, and institutional spaces
• Community spaces for recreation, culture, health and wellness, and collaboration
• Public spaces that encourage community gathering and celebration
  
  

THRIVE + VIBE
Create Cohesive and Vibrant Spaces

Ensure spaces are vital, vibrant, and active by:

• Offering options for living, learning, health, wellness, recreation, and entrepreneurship
• Creating spaces that support social connection and inter-generational relationships
• Facilitating communal gathering spaces

Draft guiding principles for the Grand Trunk Renewal Project were presented to Stratford City Council on Monday, April 22nd. The Ad Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee prepared the draft guiding principles and aim to set out the high-level outcomes for the project. You can read the Council report here on the Council Calendar here: https://pub-stratford.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=5723

Thank you to everyone who attended the GRANDTrunk Dialogue 1 event on March 26, 2024 at the Rotary Complex. There were over 120 attendees and a great deal of energy and excitement as we explored together the potential of this project. A special thanks to members of the Ad Hoc Committee who spoke at the event: Georgia Neely, John Kastner, Joani Gerber, Melanie Hare and Trudy Jonkman. A video of the event will soon be available and you can find the information from the evening in the For Reference section of this page.

Some recent coverage in the local news about the upcoming GRANDTrunk Dialogue Events:

• Grand Trunk community events another step in complicated redevelopment, The Stratford Beacon Herald on March 13, 2024
• Melanie Hare for the Ad Hoc Committee for the Grand Trunk Renewal, MyStratfordNow

For more information, you can read the media release on the City of Stratford website.