Downtown community improvement plan

The City of Brantford has prepared a Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to promote development and investment in the Downtown.

• Council-adopted Downtown Community Improvement Plan

The Downtown Community Improvement Plan is intended to support Downtown revitalization and bring more people to live and work in Downtown Brantford. Its programs will help property owners to improve or redevelop their properties within the Downtown Brantford Urban Growth Centre (UGC), as shown below.

Amendments for a new Vandalism Prevention Program

City of Brantford Council is seeking to create a new grant program offered under the Downtown Community Improvement Plan called the Vandalism Prevention Grant. This new financial incentive is proposed to be available to small businesses, faith-based organizations, and non-profit organizations who have been victims of vandalism. The Vandalism Prevention Grant will provide financial support for the following:

• Completion of prompt repairs after an act of vandalism
• Completion of a Safety Audit with City Staff for the property that identifies projects and measures that may prevent future acts of vandalism and which improve safety and security
• Implementation of projects that contribute to the overall safety and feelings of security that in turn supports the Downtown serving as an economic, civic, cultural, and tourism hub.

You can refer to Report 2025-546 for background information.

City of Brantford will consider the amendment to add the Vandalism Prevention Grant program to the Downtown CIP during a statutory public meeting held on February 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m at Council Chambers, 58 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.

If you have comments to share, you may:

• Submit your comments in writing by email to City of Brantford Clerks (clerks@brantford.ca)
• Attend the meeting in person by requesting delegation status using the online request form
• Attend the meeting virtually by requesting delegation status using Zoom (https://brantford.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-smIkZbXRCSwq-ct0o5eNQ)

Read the full details of the proposed amendment to add the Vandalism Grant Program as outlined in Amendment No. 4: Vandalism Prevention Grant.

Two existing programs are offered as part of the Downtown Community Improvement Plan:

The Property Tax Increment-Based Grant program provides property owners with a financial incentive to redevelop their properties within the UGC. Eligible redevelopment projects may include new buildings or substantial additions for residential uses or mixed uses (with both residential and commercial units) that will result in an increase in the assessed value of the property. Depending on the provision of affordable housing units in a redevelopment project, the grant may be enhanced to provide a greater financial incentive. It is envisioned that these redevelopment projects will provide for a variety of types and tenures of residential units, including affordable housing, support existing and new commercial and institutional uses, and contribute to a complete community in the heart of the City.

The Downtown Façade & Safety Improvement Grant Program is designed as a financial incentive for property owners to complete façade and safety improvements, in alignment with CPTED principles (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). The intent of the program is to improve the aesthetics and appeal of commercial and/or mixed use buildings and associated publicly accessible spaces within the Downtown Urban Growth Centre, and enhance the feeling of safety and security for residents and people working or visiting Downtown.

For more information or to apply to a program, please contact:
Planning Department
City of Brantford
58 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario N3T 2J2
T. 519-759-4150
E-mail: developmentincentives@brantford.ca