Collingwood's Historic Downtown is undergoing a facelift. Collingwood Mayor Terry Geddes cut the ribbon to officially launch a new marketing and streetscape redevelopment of the downtown. BIA Manager Sue Nicholson says the Saturday May 13th launch arrived after months of meetings, research and planning. The marketing and creative process has been underway for one full year, under the direction of Jeff Shearer. Mr. Shearer introduced his design team at the official ribbon cutting ceremony and said residents and visitors to Collingwood can look forward to great things in the downtown district over the next year.

Visitors to Collingwood Downtown will now be greeted by large banners at the north and south entrances, along with new promotional banners along downtown streets. Upgrades to the downtown core will continue over the next year. Collingwood council recently heard from BIA planners who outlined plans and projected costs for an ongoing streetscape renewal project. Those plans will include the replacement of the existing street lighting, installed durding the last major downtown upgrade in the 1980's. BIA President Steve Assaff says Collingwood's downtown is the envy of many towns and cities and therefore should keep its appearance up to today's standards. Collingwood council is considering a request from the BIA to fund 50 percent of the renewal project. The BIA streetscape redevelopment and re-branding project comes at a time when two major developments are about to begin. The massive Shipyard's housing and retail development will anchor the north end of the downtown shopping district, while the new Admiral Collingwood condominium, retail and senior's housing development will totally redevelop the southern entrance to downtown Collingwood.