The Town of Grimsby has reached a significant milestone in its Downtown Reimagined project, with the contractor submission period officially closing on May 8, 2026. This $9.1 million initiative, which is supported by a $1.9 million grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, is moving forward as planned with a construction start date anticipated for June 22, 2026.
The project, which involves replacing aging 1950s cast-iron watermains that have experienced multiple recent breaks, will be completed in two phases over 2026 and 2027. This schedule was adjusted following feedback from the local business community to help manage traffic and support accessibility. CIMA+ is serving as the engineering consultant for the project, and the town has also retained Gestalt Communications to manage the public outreach strategy.
Phase 1 begins this year and focuses on underground infrastructure work outside the downtown core, including sections of Elm, Mountain, Christie, Main Street, and Rossmore. The contract for this phase includes a completion target of October 31, 2026, and features incentives for early work along with penalties for delays. To assist the community during construction, the town is requiring the contractor to provide a dedicated Project Ambassador to support local businesses and visitors.
While construction is underway, officials emphasize that downtown Grimsby will remain open and accessible to the public, with vehicle access maintained throughout the process. Residents should note that the Grimsby Farmers’ Market will continue to operate downtown for the first three weeks of June before temporarily relocating to the Peach King Centre at 162 Livingston Avenue.
Phase 2, which covers the downtown core on Main Street between Christie Street and Elm Street, will follow in 2027. The town is also coordinating construction schedules with the nearby development of the Century Condos to minimize potential disruptions to residents and business owners.
