Brampton Brampton Centre for Innovation | 48m | 9s | City of Brampton | Diamond Schmitt

Provincial funding cancelled.

Statement

Government of Ontario ensuring fiscal responsibility and accountability
October 23, 2018

Statement from the Honorable Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities:

Our government committed to restore accountability and trust in Ontario's finances. This includes making difficult decisions about projects across the province. Through our government's independent commission of inquiry, we now know that Ontario faces a $15 billion deficit, about two and half times the estimate provided by the previous administration. As a result, the Ministry is no longer in the position to fund the following projects given the province's new fiscal restraints.



  • Markham Campus - York University in partnership with Seneca College
  • Milton Campus - Wilfred Laurier University in partnership with Conestoga College
  • Brampton Campus - Ryerson University in partnership with Sheridan College


The government is committed to taking action to restore trust and accountability in the province's public finances. This measure will help make government more effective and efficient, and will ensure all spending is delivering the best value for the people of Ontario.






CONTACTS
Stephanie Rea
Minister’s Office
Stephanie.rea@ontario.ca

Tanya Blazina
Communications Branch
Tanya.blazina@ontario.ca

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
https://www.ontario.ca/tcu
 
After the province promised the $90MM to Ryerson to build in Brampton, the city acknowledged that 2,000 person campus on its own would not do much for downtown Brampton....and then, to lure Ryerson into picking a downtown site, committed a further $150MM of municipal dollars to build an innovation hub and library that would be shared between the city and the school.

Now some councillors are forgetting that we were told we "need" the hub as much as the uni and are proposing that, instead, those dollars be used to build the campus in the first place!

https://bramptonist.com/bramptons-ryerson-university-campus-could-be-saved-after-all/
 
Good thing that Brampton may still go forward with it in place of the innovation centre. Hoping that the other university expansions that got cancelled can still secure some sort of funding as well.
 
Good thing that Brampton may still go forward with it in place of the innovation centre. Hoping that the other university expansions that got cancelled can still secure some sort of funding as well.
It is NOT a good thing!

The people of Brampton (any municipality) should not be funding areas of provincial responsibility from the property tax base.
 
Update on the revised plans for the campus from Sean Marshall:

 
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Brampton pushes plan for its own university in hope to combat brain drain

Councillor believes city has the right ingredients to become an education destination

Natalie Nanowski · CBC News · Posted: Dec 08, 2019 4:00 AM ET

The city has launched BramptonU, a movement to get an post-secondary institution built and prevent the brain drain some say is to blame for pulling talent away from Brampton.

 
Spent a little time in Brampton on the weekend. The downtown is quite nice and has good bones. Stuff like this will help it grow.

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Brampton is now courting University of Guelph-Humber. This would take over much of Ryerson's initial plans for Downtown Brampton, though Ryerson is planning a medical school (focused on primary care, and not advanced medical specialties), which did get funding in the last provincial budget, and a cybersecurity centre which was already in the works as a scaled back presence after the provincial funding clawback for a larger campus.

If this were to be a move to a standalone facility for UG-H from the existing North Campus location, it would make some sense, as it would, as noted below, retain students already living in Brampton, rather than chase new ones.

Metrolinx has restarted building its new "temporary" parking lot south of the station, which was originally intended to make room on the GO Station lands for an educational building.


University of Guelph-Humber and the City of Brampton Exploring Partnership in Downtown Brampton; Campus proposed in Brampton’s new Centre for Innovation​

Wednesday, Jun 16 2021
BRAMPTON, ON (June 16, 2021) – Today, Brampton City Council unanimously supported a motion to work with the University of Guelph and Humber College to bring the University of Guelph-Humber (UofGH) to Brampton’s new Centre for Innovation (CFI). City staff and the institutions will now begin work on identifying required supports and business terms for the potential relocation of the campus as an anchor tenant in the CFI.

“It's a natural fit for UofGH to be a key partner in the Brampton Centre for Innovation and support current and future students with a unique and proven model that allows them to earn both a degree and a diploma within four years,” said Charlotte Yates, president and vice chancellor, University of Guelph.

“Given that Brampton generates the largest number of applicants to UofGH out of all Ontario cities, we are excited by the opportunity to have Brampton as the home for an innovative new campus,” said Chris Whitaker, president and CEO, Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.

The University of Guelph-Humber is a unique partnership between Humber College and the University of Guelph. Through integrated academic and hands-on experiences, students earn both a Humber diploma and a University of Guelph honours bachelor’s degree in four years.

“This exciting partnership with the University of Guelph-Humber will be a pivotal building block of Brampton’s Centre for Innovation and truly help develop our city into a major education and innovation hub,” said Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton. “Our students deserve the best opportunities for success and those come with access to high quality education and skills development options -- right here at home.”

UofGH has more than 5,000 full time students and 400 employer partners in Brampton that provide students with work-integrated learning and on-the job experience built into all programs. Ninety-five per cent of Guelph-Humber students are employed within two years of graduation.

“The University of Guelph-Humber is delighted to be working alongside its institutional partners and the City of Brampton to further explore this exciting opportunity,” said George Bragues, interim vice-provost, University of Guelph-Humber. “We pride ourselves on supporting student success and producing well-educated, experienced graduates who are ready to make an impact on society."

UofGH current and future programs will complement Ryerson’s planned medical school and its cybersecurity research/innovation centre as well as Algoma University and Sheridan College’s existing programs.
 
Diamond Schmitt has been selected as the architect for Brampton's Centre for Innovation.

Work is scheduled to begin in 2023.

City selects Diamond Schmitt as architect for transformational Centre for Innovation

Monday, Jul 26 2021

BRAMPTON, ON (July 26, 2021) – With the selection of an architect for its Centre for Innovation (CFI), the City continues its work to revitalize and unlock the economic potential of downtown Brampton.
The City has awarded the design of the CFI project to Diamond Schmitt, Canadian architects who provide innovative designs for cultural, academic, and civic spaces around the world. Some of Diamond Schmitt’s best known projects include the Senate of Canada Building; Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver; the Mariinsky II Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia; the National Arts Centre in Ottawa; Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and The Globe and Mail Centre; Lazaridis Hall at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and Brampton’s own Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness. Diamond Schmitt is also designing the new Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada (OPL-LAC) Joint Facility.
With a focus on designs inspired by urban community, historic context and creative placemaking and a commitment to purpose built, highly sustainable low carbon and low energy buildings, Diamond Schmitt is the perfect fit to deliver a transformative icon in downtown Brampton.

The CFI will be located centrally in Brampton’s downtown core and support the presence of current and future postsecondary institutions in the city such as Algoma University, Ryerson University and the University of Guelph-Humber. It will play an integral role in connecting postsecondary institutions with local businesses and start-ups and help connect Brampton’s workforce with skilled jobs of the future. The CFI will provide significant stimulus at the heart of the city’s downtown, and the design of the facility will provide a positive and engaging user experience both within the building and through its streetscape and urban design.

As part of Brampton’s growing Innovation District, the Centre for Innovation will be a collaborative space offering a new central library providing opportunities for digital creation and programming, performance and audio recording, assistive technologies for various abilities, and culture days. The library will provide flexible office spaces to engage residents and community partners.

The CFI will be a gateway and landmark for train passengers entering or departing the city from the Downtown Brampton GO station. It will serve all Brampton residents as well as university students, providing opportunities for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary students to engage with, innovate and collaborate with one another as well as with residents, the business community and industry in a collaborative setting that promotes experiential learning.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023.

Throughout COVID-19, the City has continued its work to spur downtown investment and revitalization and enhance new developments in Brampton’s core. Building on Term of Council Priorities, the transformational initiatives underway will help create complete communities, unlock economic potential and reinforce Brampton’s unique position on the Innovation Corridor.

To learn more about the CFI, visit www.brampton.ca

Quick facts
• In March 2021, the City welcomed the Province’s announcement expansion of more postsecondary opportunities in Brampton, including a medical institute at Ryerson University.
• At its July 7 meeting, Council approved a $1 million planning grant to Ryerson University to help fund a future Brampton School of Medicine.
• On June 16, 2021, the City and the University of Guelph-Humber confirmed their intention for the academic institution to move to Brampton as an anchor tenant in the Centre for Innovation.
• The City is building an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the heart of downtown Brampton. The Innovation District will produce innovative talent with the goal of supporting start-ups from across the region as well as international newcomers, with resources for companies in all stages including start-up, scale-up, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporates. More than $21 million is being invested in the Innovation District, a key piece of our Economic Recovery Strategy.

Quotes

“Brampton is in the midst of an exciting transformation, and our Centre for Innovation will play a pivotal role in helping to develop our city into a major education and innovation hub. With the selection of Diamond Schmitt – a top Canadian firm – we are one step closer to unlocking the economic potential of downtown Brampton, and providing our residents with high quality education and skills opportunities right here at home.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“The continued development of our Innovation District is a key action in our Economic Recovery Strategy, and the Centre for Innovation will be integral in spurring future growth in the area and supporting our recovery. I’m excited the City has selected an architect, and look forward to seeing the benefits the Centre for Innovation will bring to our downtown.”
- Martin Medeiros, Regional Councillor, Wards 3&4; Chair, Economic Development, City of Brampton

“The City is dedicated to revitalizing our downtown, and creating complete communities where our residents can live, learn, work and play. With this announcement of Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. being selected as the architect for our transformative Centre for Innovation, we are working towards a stronger and more impactful Brampton.”
- Paul Vicente, Regional Councillor, Wards 1&5; Vice-Chair, Economic Development, City of Brampton

“Our team at the City of Brampton is dedicated to unlocking the potential of our downtown, and continuing to build an ecosystem for students and businesses to thrive. With our prime location on Canada’s Innovation Corridor, the City continues to lead the way in developing our city into an education and innovation hub to benefit our entire community. We look forward to seeing the Centre for Innovation project advance, and the opportunities it will provide for our residents.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

“Diamond Schmitt are honoured to collaborate with the City of Brampton in the design of the Centre For Innovation, an extraordinary initiative of civic vision.”
- Don Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt

“We are excited to be a part of this transformative project. The Centre for Innovation presents an extraordinary opportunity for our team to chart the course for innovation, resilience, and sustainability.”
- Mike Szabo, Principal, Diamond Schmitt
 
Finally, there are new documents available on the city's planning site.


The rendering here is looking southeast, from the corner of George and Nelson. The building on the right, with the Blackstone banner, is where the Greenwin/Sweeny project is planned.

Nine stories in height, with 256,000 sq ft. of space proposed, with public library uses (122,500 sq. ft.) and educational uses (120,000 sq. ft.), with the remainder being a shared public entrance. There would be an entrance direct to Main Street via Diplock Lane, but the main entrance would be at the corner of Nelson and George. It would be 42 metres from the ground floor, though it is raised nearly a metre because of it being in a historical flood plain (which hasn't happened since 1948, thanks to the Etobicoke Creek diversion, but the city and TRCA are working on enhancements, called the Riverwalk, that will mitigate floodrisk even more).

The north part of the building (at Nelson Street) will be a new central library for the city, centred around an atrium in the podium, and will include a café, gallery, conference area, and event space. The south part will be used for academic spaces, part of the long-planned university campus. Rooftop amenities are proposed for both the library and the academic area.

EDIT: I noticed that the Nelson Square parking garage is retained. I had expected that it would have come down for this project, but instead, the BCFI wraps around it. Certainly a more sustainable (and cost-effective) option if parking is to be included in the proposal.

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^ the Main Street LRT is in what I'd call a political pause because the dust needs to settle from the provincial election and the municipal election still needs to happen. Meanwhile (channelling Stephen Colbert), City staff and their consultants are still working on the 30% design engineering reports and material for the surface and tunnel option. At some point, that information will be before Council and they have the ability to launch a TPAP. Of course as we've seen for other projects, federal and provincial politicians could pledge money before the TPAP starts or even finishes.
 
University of Guelph -Humber pulled out of this project as the anchor tenant during the 2022 fall municipal election. Council was stuck in a 5-5 deadlock pushed against by notorious retired nimby councillor and puppet master Elaine Moore. nothing was progressing in Brampton until the November election removed her influence over council for the first time in almost 20 years.

Now the city is back at the drawing board finding a new tenant. The silver lining is that Algoma University has doubled enrollment to over 5000 students downtown and has been occuping more space downtown like the Dominion building and soon CIBC location in garden Square.

TMU and Rogers cybersecurity, which formed after Ryerson university was cancelled by the province has grown to 700 students. There is potential for these groups to be at play for this facility over time.
 

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