A formal entertainment district designation and a more relaxed noise by-law could be the key to revitalizing and reinvigorating London’s downtown, according to the city’s mayor.
During his State of the City address Tuesday morning, Mayor Ed Holder stressed the need to embrace London’s “City of Music” title and vowed to officially make the core a defined entertainment district.
“Music can and will serve as an important contributor to London’s community recovery and renewal, while offering a sustained economic boost to our city,” said Holder.
London was given the designation as a city of music last November by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. London is the only city in Canada to earn the distinction.
“Starting this spring and beyond, we’re going to prove why we are, without question, Canada’s ‘City of Music,’” said Holder. “To do so, we need to let the music play.”
In order to do just that, Holder added that the city will develop a new sound bylaw for outdoor concerts and events. It is a goal that could prove hard to achieve based on past efforts to bring amplified music to downtown patios. Council’s efforts to liven up the core through music saw nearby residents appeal noise bylaw amendments.
The entertainment district designation could also see streamlined approvals for events and additional investment in infrastructure.
“By taking deliberate steps to embrace and support our music and cultural industries, we will generate new energy and excitement in the core, drive economic benefits, and increase business engagement,” said Holder. “We will foster new employment opportunities while bringing even more events, creating more internationally recognized spaces, and welcome world class artists to London as we continue to develop incredible talent in our community.”
The State of the City address is put on annually by the London Chamber of Commerce and has in past years drawn more than 1,200 people to RBC Place. However, due to provincial pandemic restrictions surrounding indoor gatherings this year’s event was held virtually – the second straight year it was forced online.
Holder told Londoners that the city is “once again the undisputed economic engine of southwestern Ontario.
“London is currently in the midst of 18 straight months of net new employment growth. That’s the longest streak of monthly job creation of any municipality in Canada,” he said.
He went on to note that 56,200 new jobs have been created over that time period and that in the coming months, 1,200 more positions would be available in London when two new Amazon warehouses open.
“Our unemployment rate is now back to pre-pandemic levels, and lower than both the current provincial and national averages — neither of those things were true when this council took office,” said Holder. “Three-and-a-half years ago, our labour participation rate was the worst in Ontario. As of last month, it’s improved at a faster rate than anywhere else in the province.”
Holder touched on past State of the City pledges to electrify London’s public transit fleet and the plan to create 3,000 additional affordable housing units.
“Just last month, in another unanimous vote, council approved $26-million to begin the process by purchasing 10 electric buses and seven chargers,” said Holder. “With this initial investment approved, we believe it will lead to even greater contributions from our provincial and federal partners. That will only accelerate the conversion to an electrified public transit fleet.”
He called on private developers to help the city reach its five-year affordable housing goal by stressing that legacies are built on lives saved and not just “cranes in the sky.”
In addition to the good, Holder touched on the bad. He spoke about the June 2021 Hyde Park area attack that left four members of the Afzaal family dead and a boy orphaned.
“It was a terrorist attack, an act of mass murder, and a grotesque expression of hatred rooted in Islamophobia. It was, without question, the darkest hour in London’s history,” said Holder. “Ours must not be a community where Londoners look the other way, pretend not to hear, or keep to themselves while hatred goes unchecked. Instead, it must be one where, in the days that followed,
thousands of us – people of all ages and backgrounds – walked our streets together. Where strangers comforted strangers at the site of the attack. And where children, with messages written in chalk, left promises of a brighter future.”
Holder spoke about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the hardships it has caused for Londoners and businesses. He recalled that last year’s State of the City was held as Ontario emerged from a seven-week lockdown only to have this year’s remarks come a week before similar measures reimposed over the holidays come to an end.
“COVID has dominated our lives, on a daily basis, for nearly two full years now and it continues to do so. This is unlike anything any of us has ever known,” said Holder.
He called on the provincial and federal governments to “get serious” about the unvaccinated and develop more stringent measures to encourage people to get the shot.
“It boils down to this: 90 per cent of our society, those who have done the right things, repeatedly, for over two years simply cannot be expected to continue doing the heavy lifting in perpetuity for 10 per cent who refuse to do the bare minimum.”
Holder also said the pandemic has shown a real need for a national conversation about health care capacity. He said proper supports need to be put in place to assist nurses, specialists, physicians, and ensure there are enough hospital beds per capita. This would prevent hospitals being overwhelmed and the cancellation of surgeries.
Tuesday’s State of the City was Holder’s fourth and last since taking off. His current term as mayor ends this year. Londoners will go to the polls to elect a new municipal government on October 24.
“Politics isn’t just what you believe, it’s what you prioritize,” Holder said nearing the end of his remarks. “While the state of our times is unprecedented, the State of our City is strong. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to serve.”
