Civil and Municipal - Jan 2024

As a result, current efforts focus on moving beyond the traditional automotive sector, with the goal here yet again being diversification. The recent opening of the city’s newest business parks reflects the city’s appeal to a diverse range of businesses. In fact, the quick occupancy of non-auto-related businesses even further shows that this was a move that Woodstock’s commercial ecosystem has been waiting on. Development Commissioner Len Magyar has noticed a pattern of attraction of larger private developers, and he believes that the difference in how they make their investments will be the catalyst to the (business) diversity the city is cultivating. “They’re more motivated by the sale price of their land and the ROI,” Magyar says, referring to private developers. Because of their focus on ROI and making profitable investments, the results that they produce could easily surpass what the city typically looks to create on its own. Typically, municipalities would seek developments that can support long-term employment. This new development perspective expands opportunities beyond just supporting employment and could bring in newwaves of private investment. REVITALIZING THE DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE When a city is expanding commercially, it’s important to also consider the residential experience. The city has long had a strategic focus on downtown development, and has, in recent years, concentrated a renewed effort towards increasing the number of people who live in the downtown area. Logically, a higher-density population means more feet on the sidewalks. This increases the level of demand for businesses in the area, particularly consumable businesses like butcher shops, produce stores, and niche retailers, as they all require a locally present residency to thrive. 93 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 01 WOODSTOCK , ON