Oshawa announces Plan 20Thirty steering committee members

The people are now in place to guide Oshawa through the next decade with the City’s unveiling of the Plan 20Thirty Steering Committee, a consultative community group that will support the development of the new action plan for Downtown Oshawa.

Plan 20Thirty is aimed at engaging business and community stakeholders and the public at-large in a comprehensive plan to guide the transformation of the City’s downtown economy and its economic development activities over the next ten years.

The purpose of the Steering Committee, according to Oshawa Council. is to advise on and collaborate with staff on the analysis and background work that will form the basis of a new downtown action plan. As downtown stakeholders, all members will represent their respective sectors and institutions to ensure collective voices are heard throughout the entire process.

Lauren Gould

Hans Jain

There are thirteen members in all, including Robert McLaughlin Gallery CEO Lauren Gould; noted local developer Hans Jain; former downtown BIA executive director Garth Johns; tech entrepreneur Joel Nascimento; Ontario Tech community manager Matthew Mackenzie; former councillor and long-time business owner Louise Parkes; business person Tess Pierce; local historian Laura Vallincourt; community activist Stacey Snow; developer and downtown landlord Richard Summers; Carla Holland; Andrew Holmes; and Jack O’Donnell.

Joel Nascimento

Stacey Snow

Plan 20Thirty will reflect Downtown Oshawa’s current needs and will replace previous downtown action plans and recommendations while maintaining the same goal of improving and promoting the area as a unique experience for working, living, going to school, shopping, dining and entertainment.

The key objectives of Plan 20Thirty include:

• Acknowledging the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and developing actions to mitigate its impacts;
• Identifying the primary role(s) and current state of the downtown;
• Examining current challenges and future opportunities;
• Building consensus on strategic directions and activities;
• Informing potential revisions to downtown zoning;
• Generating short- and longer-term investment leads and opportunities;
• Meeting Oshawa’s job growth targets;
• Enhancing a better economic foundation for future growth;
• Enhancing, leveraging and marketing the downtown’s strengths and assets;
• Enhancing, leveraging and marketing the retail, personal service, culinary, arts, culture and entertainment sectors;
• Strengthening partnerships with organizations such as the Universities and College, the Spark Centre, Business Advisory Centre of Durham, and social agencies; and,
• Presenting an action plan for Council to advance.

In 2022, the steering committee will be seeking public engagement on the action plan to ensure an inclusive process that meets Plan 20Thirty objectives.

Committee member appointments, meeting agendas and summaries can be found at www.oshawa.ca/Plan20Thirty.