The Redevelopment of Ken Whillans Square and Garden Square

Aerial view of Ken Whillans Square

Aerial view of Garden Square

A Design Team, led by a architectural firm, will be selected to spearhead the design and contract administration services for the redevelopment of the two-squares.

To ensure that these spaces serve the needs and desires of our residents, the City is initiating a comprehensive engagement process, inviting residents to help define the design criteria. This process will ensure the new spaces accommodate diverse activities and prioritize innovation, accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. Community insights will guide the project’s priorities, vision, objectives, and requirements, helping to co-create spaces that enhance the quality of life in Brampton.

Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to participate. Thank you for being an essential part of our community's transformation.

Updates and participation opportunities will be provided as the project progresses.

Public and Stakeholder Engagement Process

Communication and engagement with the public is a fundamental aspect of the Design Competition. Brampton residents will have the opportunity to express their thoughts and share their ideas for how they would like these spaces to be redeveloped.

The City will collaborate with the public and stakeholders at every stage of the design process, including the development of the final design vision, objectives, and concepts.

The opportunities for the community to get involved in the squares design process are:

Community Engagement Part 1: Towards a Vision
Community Engagement Part 2: Exploring Design Concepts

Community Engagement Part 1: Towards a Vision

As part of Part 1, community members will be invited to engage in a conversation about the redevelopment of the two squares.

The stakeholders and community feedback will help to inform:

A community-informed vision and objectives for each Square.
The future character, design, and programming for each Square.

How to Participate:

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts and ideas by completing our survey.

Why Participate?

As we begin the process of redeveloping Ken Whillans and Garden Square, we are eager to hear from the community. Public input is invaluable in creating vibrant, inclusive spaces that truly reflect the essence of our City.

The feedback will inform the development of a community-informed vision and objectives for each Square.
The Community’s insights will shape the future character, design, and programming of these important public spaces.

What Happens Next?

City staff will compile the Community Engagement & Visioning report, summarizing the feedback collected from our community. This report will be posted on the project’s webpage and shared with all the short-listed architectural firms.

Your participation is crucial in ensuring that the redevelopment of Ken Whillans and Garden Square reflects the aspirations and needs of our community. Let's work together to create spaces we can all be proud of!

Thank you for your time and commitment to our community's future.

Ken Whillans Square and Garden Square Survey

Your Voice Matters! We invite you to actively participate in shaping the future of these squares. Your insights, ideas, and preferences will guide us in establishing key priorities, vision, and design criteria. Whether it’s green spaces, cultural installations, or interactive features, your input matters. Together, let’s create spaces that enrich our community and elevate our quality of life.

Take Survey

Community Engagement Part 2: Exploring Design Concepts

Community members will provide input on the design concepts developed in Phase 2 of the competition process (please see below, Design Competition Process). This input will be summarized and serve as input for the project evaluators.

Design Competition Process

A design competition is a quality-based and solution-oriented form of procurement. A design competition allows the City to procure an optimal high-quality project. Consideration of aesthetic, technical, functional, economic, ecological, and sustainability requirements are typically encompassed in a design competition. Priority is given to a project’s qualitative merits, including cultural values and benefits to society. Design competitions can produce designs of distinction and uphold the highest cultural and artistic values.

The competition is to be comprised of two phases.

Phase One: Request for Prequalification (RFPQ)
Phase Two: Request For Proposal (RFP)

Phase One: Request for Prequalification (RFPQ)

In Phase One, a public RFPQ, which is open to all professional architectural firms, to submit their design team and qualifications. Both local and international design teams are welcome to participate in this competition.

The top five architectural firms selected during the RFPQ Phase will advance to Phase Two.

Phase Two: Request For Proposal (RFP)

In Phase Two, the short-listed architectural firms will be invited to submit conceptual designs for the two squares.

A team will then evaluate each design and select a successful firm to be commissioned to provide the complete design services & contract administration services for the redesign of Ken Whillans and Garden Squares.

Project Timeline

Q3 2024
- Community engagement
Q3 2024
- Design competition starts
Q4 2024
- Hire a design team through a two-stage design competition
Q1/Q2 2025
- Detailed Design development
Q3 2025
- Undertake Detailed design and hire a construction team
- Construction start (first square)
*Construction is planned to occur in stages to minimize the impacts on the downtown area and programming. The details of the construction site/square phasing will be determined during the detailed design stage, based on square/site conditions, design specifications, permits and approvals, and adjacent downtown construction activities. Staff will coordinate with the design consultant and ensure that the project schedule is expedited to the greatest extent possible.
Q3 2026
- Construction complete (first square)
- Construction start (second square)
Q3 2027
- Construction complete (second square)

We Want to Hear from You

We want to hear from you about the Redevelopment of Ken Whillans Square and Garden Square.

Have Your Say

Contact Us

For more information on the Redevelopment of Ken Whillans Square and Garden Square project or to provide comments, please contact the project lead through email at:

Dalia Bahy, Ph.D., MCIP, RPP, OAA, LEED AP. BD+C
Strategic Leader
Downtown Revitalization

RKGSP@brampton.ca