Business activity to be monitored for Gravenhurst's downtown core

Business leaders and municipal officials looking to re-vitalize Downtown Gravenhurst

Gravenhurst Council agreed to direct staff to provide regular updates about ongoing business activities, in the January 20, 2026, meeting.

Last October Council agreed to developing a Vacant Building and Land Registry by-law, changes to the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for year-round application intakes, review the Official Plan with an emphasis on stronger business in commercial areas, and update the zoning by-law with a focus on “traditional retail and downtown commercial type uses.”

The idea for the by-law resulted from business owners and community members expressing concerns about the downtown area and seeking support from the town to improve and promote it.

Staff reported that properties purchased during Covid have remained vacant or undeveloped, which impacts attraction to downtown and existing businesses.

They also presented options for Council and recommended a new by-law “that includes a proactive inspection and review schedule, penalties for specific non-compliance and a more standardized approach for the look and feel of vacant properties in key commercial areas of Gravenhurst.”

The by-law includes timelines for non-compliance matters. Staff explained that penalties for the timelines can apply to 30, 60 and 90-day notice periods.

The changes also include year-round in-take for the Community Improvement Project, and the Official Plan will focus more on policies to support a larger business mix in commercial areas, and a zoning by-law geared to retail and commercial type uses in the Business District and Wharf areas.

Council members agreed with the more assertive approach to dealing with owners of vacant buildings and lands that are also having a negative impact on the appearance of the downtown area because of paper-covered windows and deterioration and lack of maintenance, impacting attraction to the areas.

Today, Councillor, Peter Johnston, requested the need for the regular updates on business attraction and retention, especially within the CIP area.

He also expressed concern about “social media noise” about the condition of the downtown area and about accusations like “Council is not doing anything.” He said it’s “simply not true. There is a problem. I’m concerned about the number of businesses that closed.”

He added, “Council is very much engaged in the problem or the issue…to revitalize our downtown core.”

He suggested that the Town develop a strategy that helps with business retention too, in addition to bringing in new businesses. He said, “It costs one third of the money to retain existing businesses then to recruit them.”