Greyfields revitalization strategy

What is a greyfield?

Greyfields can generally be described as previously developed commercial sites that are vacant or underutilized, and/or in a state of neglect or disrepair. Greyfields are viewed as lands where there are opportunities for revitalization because they have access to existing public services, infrastructure, and utilities and, unlike brownfields, are not perceived to be subject to environmental contamination.

• Council-adopted Greyfields Community Improvement Plan

The Greyfields Community Improvement Plan aims to support the revitalization of greyfield sites across the Built-Up Area, as shown below, by helping property owners make improvements to their properties or redevelop their properties into mixed use developments (with both commercial uses and residential uses). It is envisioned that these revitalization projects will provide for a variety of types and tenures of residential units, including affordable housing, support existing and new commercial uses, and facilitate the transformation of clusters of greyfield sites into attractive and thriving commercial areas.

The Greyfields CIP includes three financial incentive programs intended to facilitate private sector investment in greyfield sites, supporting their improvement or redevelopment, as follows:

• The Property Tax Increment-Based Grant is intended to promote the transformative redevelopment of greyfields into new mixed use developments that will increase a property’s assessed value. Depending on the provision of affordable housing units in a redevelopment project, the grant may be enhanced to provide a greater financial incentive;
• The Commercial Façade, Landscaping and Connectivity Improvement Grant is aimed at facilitating improvements to the appearance and accessibility of existing commercial and mixed use properties in Target Greyfield Revitalization Areas; and
• The Mixed Use Building Improvement Grant supports the conversion of existing buildings into mixed use buildings in Target Greyfield Revitalization Areas.

Please note that the Commercial Façade, Landscaping and Connectivity Improvement Grant program and Mixed Use Building Improvement Grant program may be offered after the Property Tax Increment-Based Grant program has been in operation for one year, and provided Council allocates funds to a reserve for the payment of the grants.