Grant program update pending for Sarnia’s downtown, Mitton Village

It’s time to consider changes to a Sarnia program that helps with re-investments in the city’s downtown and Mitton Village, a city councilor says.

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“We’re dangling free money in front of people, and if they’re not taking it, then perhaps we’re not offering it for the current right needs,” said Coun. Brian White.

Council recently attemptedly approved, pending any vetoes from Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, setting aside $75,000 next year — at the urging of the city’s Mitton Village community development advisory committee — to update a community improvement plan (CIP) approved in late 2020 for the commercial areas.

The plan offers grants for landscaping, facade improvement, building renovations and adding extra residential.

But nearly 11 months through 2024, about $25,000 of the yearly $75,000 fund is still up for grabs, said city planning manager Eric Hyatt.

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Six applications have received money this year, he said.

The city paid out $63,000 from the fund in 2023.

“The committee is realistically trying to encourage more uptake with the CIP and to try to think outside the box a little bit,” White said.

Council recently approved unanimously — Coun. Chrissy McRoberts who has a business in Mitton Village declared a conflict and didn’t vote — looking at adding grant eligibility in 2025 for things such as murals on outside walls, and for city land acquisition.

The city doesn’t traditionally purchase land, but acquiring vacant properties listed for sale could provide more opportunities to help beautify the space, White said.

Murals on public-facing walls would do the same, and detect things like vandalism, he said.

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“It really is about trying to create a unique environment and help provide identity to Mitton Village that is special and reflective of (its culture and) the people … who work and live in the area,” he said.

In the same vote, council approved $50,000 for streetscape improvements like greenery and hanging baskets.

The idea, again, is to make Mitton Village a more inviting space, draw in people, and stimulate growth, White said.

“The more people that are populating the street as pedestrians, the safer people feel, and certainly the more opportunity there is, economically, for the businesses that invest in that area of ​​town,” he said.

Hopes are to have public input on ideas in the winter, followed by investments during the summer, he said.

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The direction continues other street and community improvements, including redeveloping a local parking lot into a community gathering space, since the committee was formed in 2018 to help counter blight in the area.

Paving and light fixture upgrades also are being eyed by the city for the corridor in 2026, White said.

“So, as we start to look toward those opportunities, we want to be sure that we’ve had the chance to provide input on other changes that could be made that could continue to build toward a more inviting space,” he said.

Meanwhile, there also still have been no applications for grants from the same $75,000 fund through an affordable housing community improvement plan Sarnia introduced earlier this year, Hyatt said.

This plan is designed to help fund studies and construction costs for new builds and extra units.

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