Delivering more than $13 billion in building construction value since 2010

COVID-19: UrbanToronto Updates from the Industry for February 10, 2021

Urbantoronto.com
Feb. 11, 2021

The global COVID-19 pandemic is having far-reaching effects in Toronto, including major impacts on what have been booming real estate and building industries. As a means to keep the public in the loop about the shutdowns, we'll be sharing information and status updates from around the industry on a regular basis.

In today's report: City of Vaughan delivering more than $13 billion in building construction value since 2010

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As one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Canada, Vaughan continues to be a city of choice! A high standard of living, accessible location, world-class amenities, development opportunities, subway connection and so much more contribute to the demand that fuels record-breaking construction values in Vaughan year after year.

Since 2010, more than $13 billion in building permits have been issued by the City and despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, city-building did not slow down in 2020. In fact, Vaughan issued $1.153 billion in building construction value in the last year alone -- a significant investment into the community.

Of the 2020 total, more than $742 million account for the construction value of residential developments in the city. Commercial projects make up more than $78 million, more than $236 million is from industrial developments, institutional projects add up to more than $60 million and the outstanding $34 million is a result of other developments throughout the city.

Building on this momentum, Vaughan’s vision for the future is becoming a reality.

VAUGHAN METROPOLITAN CENTRE (VMC)
The City is committed to business excellence and continues to foster an environment where economic prosperity can flourish. With approximately 179 hectares of development opportunities, the VMC continues to be the largest and most ambitious project in the City’s history, attracting residential, commercial and industrial investments -- much of which is grounded in momentous construction projects that contribute to the VMC’s growing and towering skyline.

Vaughan’s emerging downtown core also continues to attract significant residential investment opportunities. To date, close to 63,352 residents in almost 31,996 residential units are moving into the VMC. This achieves 270 per cent of the residential units and 256 per cent of the population targets identified for the 2031 planning horizon. Currently, seven residential towers occupy the downtown core, resulting in an estimated 6,500 people to call the VMC home in 2021. In total, staff are working on 49 development files -- including five that are in the pre-application consultation phase and represent an additional 11,482 units in the VMC.

In addition to an update to the VMC Secondary Plan Review, the City has initiated a Transportation Master Plan, a Parks and Wayfinding Master Plan and completed two road environmental assessment studies to build on and advance existing VMC cycling and pedestrian plans and policies. The studies will help improve connectivity between major areas, including transit stations, schools, commercial areas and residential areas, in addition to other community features such as connections to pathways and open spaces.

PLANNING, BUILDING AND GROWTH
The City continues to provide essential city-building services such as building code enforcement, processing of building permits, conducting inspections and issuing occupancy permits.

In fact, inspections have not been interrupted by COVID-19. Since the state of emergency was declared on March 17, 2020, there has been an increase in building inspections by nearly 10 per cent compared to the same period a year ago. The City performed 43,315 inspection processes in 2020, which well exceeds the number of inspection processes for 2019, 2018 and 2017 during that same period of time.

The City has also innovated its processes to ensure planning approvals and shovel-ready projects can move forward throughout the pandemic, including new digital development applications, electronic-participation Pre-Application Consultation and virtual Heritage Vaughan and Design Review Panel meetings. To help maintain Vaughan’s resilient economy and streamline city-building processes, the City implemented a new online portal tool -- vaughan.ca/DEPermits -- that accepts, reviews and approves development engineering permit applications electronically. The portal allows users to apply and pay for grading and pool permits, including posting securities online. This is a further enhancement to the City’s initial launch of the online permit portal -- vaughan.ca/PermitPortal -- for both building industry professionals and citizens in which permits can be applied and paid for virtually, all in one place.

Several projects are currently underway that will guide development for intensification areas, such as the Vaughan Mills Centre and the Yonge-Steeles Corridor, with a focus on safety, active transportation and sustainability. Work also continues on the Maple and Kleinburg Nashville Heritage Conservation District Plan reviews, as well as a heritage inventory update.

QUOTE
“Despite the universal challenges presented by COVID-19, Vaughan remains a city in demand. Our local economy is showing signs of resilience. I am proud to announce that in 2020, the City of Vaughan once again issued more than $1 billion in building permits. Since 2010, more than $13 billion in building permits have been issued. In fact, throughout the declared state of emergency, there has been an increase in building inspections by nearly 10 per cent compared to 2019. Though the world’s economy has been brought to its knees, the City of Vaughan is rising to new and unprecedented heights. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) -- our rapidly emerging downtown core -- continues to attract significant opportunities for investment and growth. To date, 63,352 residents are moving into more than 31,996 residential units in the VMC. In Vaughan, our vision for the future is clear: to continue building a world-class city with an unmatched quality of life where everyone can reach their full potential. These critical city-building projects contribute to Vaughan’s ongoing success and will forge our path to a resourceful, resilient recovery.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

QUICK FACTS

• As one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada, Vaughan continues to excel in economic growth -- since 2010, more than $13 billion in building permits have been issued by the City.
• In 2020, the City of Vaughan issued $1.153 billion in building construction value.
• In total, 2,957 building permits were issued from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020
• Since the state of emergency was declared on March 17, 2020, the City has performed 43,315 building inspection processes -- nearly a 10 per cent increase compared to the same period a year ago.
• To date, 63,352 residents in almost 31,996 residential units are moving into the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, achieving 270 per cent of the residential units and 256 per cent of the population targets identified for the 2031 planning horizon.
• Throughout the pandemic, city-building has not slowed down and essential services continue uninterrupted. For recent news and updates, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19.
• As the City continues to monitor evolving COVID-19 developments, residents can stay up to date by signing up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and following the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
• Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.