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 Adaptive Reuse of Historic Properties

On March 25, 2025, The Council of The Corporation of the City of Brantford passed By-law 37-2025 to adopt Amendment No. 1 to the City of Brantford Greyfields Community Improvement Plan and By-law 38-2025 to adopt Amendment No. 2 to the City of Brantford Downtown Community Improvement Plan. 
The purpose of the Amendments is to enhance the existing Property Tax Increment-Based Grant Program under both the Greyfields Community Improvement Plan and the Downtown Community Improvement Plan by introducing financial incentives that support the adaptive reuse of designated heritage properties and other properties which are eligible for heritage designation. The amendments also update Provincial and municipal policy references in each community improvement plan. You can refer to Report 2024-444 & Report 2025-44 for background information. 

• Downtown Community Improvement Plan Amendment No. 2

For amendments to the Greyfields CIP, refer to the Greyfields Revitalization Strategy webpage.

Two 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