Downtown Kingston Integrated Plan: Help Shape the Future of Downtown Kingston

Over the past four years, investments and partnerships between the Municipality of Kingston, Tourism Kingston, Kingston Accommodation Partners, and the Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area have transformed our downtown core. Together, we have introduced safety programs, enhanced public spaces, and created vibrant community experiences. However, these achievements have been realized through a reactive, project-by-project approach that lacks long-term sustainability and coordination. 

We now stand at a critical juncture. To sustain and build upon our progress, we need to transition from fragmented initiatives to a comprehensive, integrated plan for downtown Kingston—one backed by dedicated funding, clear accountability, and ongoing monitoring to ensure lasting impact. 

Over the coming year the BIA will be working with staff at the City of Kingston and other partners to shape a Downtown Kingston Integrated plan (DKIP). As a part of this process we are looking for people who are passionate about the future success of the community that would be willing to volunteer on working groups. Each working group will meet once or twice between June and October for approximately 2 hours. The final schedule is yet to be determined.

• Infrastructure/Waterfront

  Key Focus Areas: 

  • Improvement of the waterfront along the east shore

  • Preparing for increased residents in the downtown core 

  • Construction notices and consultation processes 

  • Road and sidewalk closure coordination 

• Community Safety & Crime Prevention

  Key Focus Areas: 

  • Dedicated law enforcement (Kingston Police and City of Kingston Bylaw) 

  • Mental health, addictions, and homelessness support 

  • Student safety initiatives 

  • WalkHome, Anti-racism, anti-stigma culture 

• Streetscape Experience

  Key Focus Areas: 

  • Cleanliness (litter picking, residential and commercial garbage/recycling, organic waste, public waste management) 

  • Maintenance (light standards, traffic boxes, graffiti control, waste receptacles, sidewalk repair, winter snow maintenance, summer power-washing) 

  • Signage (municipal, temporary, permanent, wayfinding) 

  • Public and green space infrastructure (florals, hanging baskets, flowerbeds, large planters, parks, holiday décor) 

  • Street/public art installations 

  • Public Space Activation 

  • Springer Market Square (including Market) 

  • Confederation and Boucher Park 

  • Sydenham St.

  • Other

• Transportation

  Key Focus Areas: 

  • Parking (safety in lots and garages, user experience audits, charging stations) 

  • Active transportation (bicycles, scooters, long boards, skateboards) 

  • Transit  

  • cleanliness and safety 

  • frequency and reliability 

  • Delivery coordination (commercial suppliers and third-party delivery services) 

  • Uber and Car Share accommodation/integration 

  • External Transportation connectivity (VIA Rail, ALTO, Airport, La Salle Causeway, Parking) 

If participation on any of the above working groups sounds like something you would like to be a part of, click the button below to express your interest.