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Image is a rendering only. Final product may be different.
The City of Burlington will be refreshing the area surrounding City Hall. This includes Civic Square, City Hall’s front entrance and facade and the streetscapes of Brant Street and Elgin Street in the immediate area.
Check this webpage for ongoing project updates. If you wish to receive email notifications whenever the project page is updated, use the button located at the bottom right corner of this page, beneath the Contact Us details. To stay informed about all current city construction projects and other municipal news, please subscribe using the button positioned at the top right corner of this page.
Project scope
Some of the intended final design objectives for the refresh are:
- Enhancing community connections - Focus on walkability and amenities for pedestrians
- Preserving and enhancing nature
- Developing community identity - Bring together arts and culture through festivals, events and ceremonies
- Creating a welcoming, accessible and comfortable public space – A public space that is vibrant, safe and comfortable for all
Phase 1 – complete
The City has done extensive community engagement on the redesign of Civic Square. Residents, businesses, and community partners were asked to submit their ideas and desires for Civic Square.
Three concepts were created. People were asked to vote for their preferred concept.
A final concept was chosen in August 2024.
To see the final concept and how community feedback was used, visit the Get Involved, Burlington – Civic Square page.
Phase 2 – construction schedule
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Project tender |
January 2026 |
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Contract award |
March 2026 |
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Construction |
April 2026 to April 2027 |
Project contacts
| Day-to-day construction inquiries |
| Questions or concerns can be sent by email. |
Information for residents
The following information may be helpful If you are concerned about a construction project in your neighbourhood.
| Access to city hall |
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Public access to City Hall will only be through the Locust Street entrance. Deliveries should follow the normal process and continue to go through the loading dock. Service Burlington hours of operation are unchanged. |
| Road closures |
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There will be no road closures during construction; however, there may be temporary lane restrictions on Brant Street and the sidewalk on Brant Street. |
| Parking |
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The parking lot on the south side of City Hall will be out of service during construction. An accessible parking space has been temporarily installed near the loading dock, on Locust Street. |
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
When was the last time Civic Square was renovated? |
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The last major renovation of Civic Square was in 1986, when the City Hall addition was constructed. The Millennium Fountain was added to Civic Square in 2000. |
How does the renewal of Civic Square benefit the community? |
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Civic Square is an important part of the City’s network of public spaces. The main objectives of this project are to improve accessibility, functionality, and the character of Civic Square, thus contributing to a more vibrant and complete community. It will improve the overall look and welcoming feel to the downtown core. It will continue to be a vibrant space for meeting people and festivals and events. |
How is this project being funded? |
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In 2021 the city received Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) – Community, Culture and Recreation Stream funding for the renewal of Civic Square and Brant Streetscape. The Government of Canada is investing $1,984,900. The Government of Ontario is providing $1,653,917 and the City of Burlington has already committed capital funding of $1,323,432. Funding to support the new Brant Street entrance was approved in the 2024 Capital Budget and Forecast. |
Was there public consultation? |
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Yes. There were multiple opportunities for public to provide input throughout the project. Engagement specialists Spruce Lab, supported by The MBTW Group (prime consultant) and City staff, led a comprehensive and meaningful engagement process. This included input from Indigenous communities, residents, external stakeholders, internal stakeholders, and members of City Council. The feedback gathered through the process helped shape the concept design and ensured it reflects the community’s priorities and values. |
Did the public consultation include the streetscaping, façade and entrance to City Hall? |
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Yes. The public was consulted and informed on proposed changes to the streetscaping, façade and entrance to City Hall. |
Will the new space be accessible? |
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Yes. The renewed space will be accessible and designed to be barrier-free, ensuring it can be easily used by people of all abilities, including those using mobility devices. |
Will this project incorporate sustainable development? |
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The project will be designed giving consideration to our warmer, wetter, and wilder weather by incorporating features for climate resiliency. It will demonstrate how successful public spaces can be built with an environmental (low impact design) approach by reducing energy and water use, incorporating recycled and renewable materials and supporting urban ecology through native planting, soil cells and bird-friendly design. It also manages stormwater responsibly, limits chemical use and promotes low‑carbon transportation with EV charging infrastructure. |
Will there be exterior washrooms? |
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No. Exterior washrooms are not included in the scope of work for this project. |
Will the project impact the heritage building at the corner of Brant St. and Elgin St.? |
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No. The project will not impact the heritage building at the corner of Brant Street and Elgin Street. |
Will there be flagpoles? |
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Yes. There will be flagpoles. During construction, flag raisings and ceremonial flags will be flown at Veteran Square, at the corner of Ontario Street and Brant Street. |
What will happen to the fountain? |
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The fountain is being replaced with a water feature. The granite from the existing fountain will be repurposed into a memorial feature at Burloak Park. |
Will public art be incorporated in the project? |
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Yes. Public art will be incorporated into the project. The City has commissioned LeuWebb Projects as the public artists for this project. Their work will be incorporated into the canopies and reflects the unique and dynamic nature of Burlington’s location nestled between the escarpment and Lake Ontario. |
Will there be changes to the inside of City Hall? |
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Yes. The Brant Street entrance to City Hall will be relocated to the central location on the facade of City Hall. This will require the relocation of the security desk inside City Hall. These relocations will align with the recently completed renovation of the first floor of City Hall and the City Hall Modernization Project. |
Will Civic Square and City Hall be closed during construction? |
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Civic Square and the Brant Street entrance will be closed during construction. City Hall will remain open, however there will be disruptions. Accommodations will be made to minimize disruptions for visitors to City Hall. |
Will there be an impact to the roads? |
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No in-road work is planned as part of this project, except where required for servicing; however, there may be temporary traffic disruptions during construction. There will be sidewalk closures on Brant Street and Elgin Street adjacent to City Hall when sidewalk reconstruction occurs. Accommodations will be made for pedestrians during this time. |
Will there be an impact to downtown parking? |
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Yes. During construction, there will be an impact on downtown parking, specifically Parking Lot #13 located at City Hall. Temporary on-street accessible parking will be made available in front of the Locust Street entrance to City Hall. After construction, Lot#13 will be a flexible parking lot and event space. During regular business it will feature four accessible and two short-term parking spaces. During special events the parking lot can be closed and used an extension to the public space. |
What events will the renewed Civic Square accommodate? |
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Current events that use Civic Square will be able to use the renewed space once complete. The renewal will improve the space for events by providing a barrier-free space with access to improved electrical and audio systems, as well as potable water. |
Documents, reports and updates
Updates will be posted throughout the project
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Project updates |
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