Work progresses on attracting foot traffic to downtown Sudbury

Sudbury's downtown revitalization plan, rooted in the 'broken windows' theory, heads to city council this week.

Greater Sudbury’s downtown action plan is heading to council today (June 23) to provide an update on the coordinated plan to address issues downtown.

Beautification, animation, safety and security are all part of the plan to revitalize the area.

Jeff MacIntyre, executive director of Downtown Sudbury, said changing the perception of the area is important.

“The broken windows theory that, you know, when people see things in disorder, they act in disorder,” MacIntyre said.

“When people see things in order, they act in order.”

Greater Sudbury environmental services and Downtown Sudbury began a one-year TyeDee pilot that began May 1, which will see new, larger and lockable garbage bins placed across downtown to address garbage concerns.

“We want people to come and feel comfortable in the downtown -- and you don’t feel comfortable if there’s garbage around,” MacIntyre said.

“Cleanliness is great for our businesses. It’s great for people that come visit our city for the first time and come through our downtown. We want them to see the best aspect of our city and have the best impression.”

The report said that the goal of the action plan for downtown is to increase foot traffic downtown. One of the city’s undertakings is the reopening of Memorial Park with themed days, including pet adoption events and other community-focused initiatives.

The report said safety is being boosted by Greater Sudbury police and municipal security officers, who are working together to maintain a bigger presence downtown.

“The downtown strategy is really a collaborative effort between the Greater Sudbury Police Service and our community agencies to really come together and work collaboratively to achieve some positive outcomes for our downtown community,” said Sgt. Sherry Young.

“We realize that as a Greater Sudbury Police Service, we cannot combat any situation alone and by ourselves or in silos. So, we really are focusing on our collaborative approach.”

Young said police encourage individuals to seek help through their 360-support model; however, it is up to the individual to accept that support.

“We’re seeing the police work to kind of maintain that general tone,” MacIntyre said.

“We want downtown to be welcoming for everybody. And part of that is people interacting in a reasonable way with each other and making sure that we have a place that people want to visit and people want to attend. And that change is happening.”