A Downtown Ready for Renewal

In Sault Ste. Marie, the downtown core has always been more than just a commercial district; it’s a gathering place, a reflection of community identity, and a driver of local economic activity.

Recognizing its potential, the City of Sault Ste. Marie and Mill Market Sault Ste. Marie (now rebranded as Soo Mrkt) shared a bold vision: to transform the downtown into a vibrant, inclusive destination where local businesses, residents, and visitors could connect. At the centre of this vision was the relocation of the Soo Mrkt, and the revitalization of Queen Street into a dynamic, people-focused space.

The Turning Point for a Changing Downtown

As the city evolved, so did the challenges its downtown core faced. Changing retail patterns, underutilized spaces, and limited access to fresh, local food in the downtown area highlighted the need for renewal.

At the same time, there was an opportunity to rethink how public space could support both economic development and quality of life. The relocation of the Mill Market and the redesign of Queen Street emerged as complementary solutions, together forming a unified approach to downtown revitalization.

From Vision to Viability

• Untapped Urban Potential: Key areas of the downtown, including Queen Street and the future market site, lacked the infrastructure and design needed to support modern, flexible use for events, commerce, and community gathering.
• Connecting People, Place, and Economy: Creating a seamless relationship between a public market and an energized streetscape required thoughtful planning to balance accessibility, vendor needs, and visitor experience.
• Coordinating a City-Building Effort: Delivering two interconnected projects, relocating a long-standing community market and reconstructing a major downtown corridor, required substantial investment, collaboration, and alignment across multiple partners and stakeholders.

With strong local leadership and a shared commitment to revitalization, the pieces were in place, but unlocking the full vision required critical financial support.

Investing in a Vibrant City Centre

Through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the Province of Ontario provided a total investment of $2,525,000 to help bring this vision to life:

• $525,000 to support the Downtown Plaza Market and Community Centre project, enabling:
  • Renovation of the Soo Market facility at 73 Brock Street
  • Construction of secure, permanent vendor booths
  • Promotion of the market’s relocation and expanded programming
• $2,000,000 to support the Downtown Business District Revitalization project, transforming sections of Queen Street through:
  • Streetscaping and flexible public spaces for patios and events
  • Installation of planters, trees, and landscaping features
  • New street furniture, lighting, and wayfinding elements
  • Public art installations to honour and enhance the cultural identity of the area

Together, these investments created a cohesive, mixed-use downtown environment designed to support business growth, tourism, and community life.

A New Energy at the Core of the Community

The results are reshaping downtown Sault Ste. Marie into a more vibrant and resilient urban centre:

• A revitalized Soo Mrkt now provides farmers, artisans, and local vendors with a permanent, high-visibility space to grow their businesses and connect with the community
• Improved access to fresh, local food, helping address food accessibility challenges in the downtown core
• A transformed Queen Street, featuring inviting public spaces that support events, patios, and year-round activity
• Increased foot traffic and economic activity, benefiting surrounding businesses and encouraging further investment
• Enhanced tourism appeal, with a welcoming, experience-driven downtown that attracts visitors and supports large-scale events

Beyond the physical upgrades, as the project progresses towards completion, it will strengthen the social and economic fabric of the city, creating a place where community life, local commerce, and cultural expression come together.

A Downtown Built for the Future

By aligning strategic infrastructure improvements with community-driven programming, Sault Ste. Marie is creating more than a revitalized downtown, it’s building a lasting foundation for growth.

With continued momentum, the downtown core will be poised to attract new businesses, residents, and visitors, ensuring that downtown becomes a thriving hub for generations to come, supported every step of the way by NOHFC’s commitment to strengthening northern Ontario communities.