New Central Library

Listen to the New Central Library Presentation, from September 29, 2020,  to explore the new plans for the Baker District Redevelopment project. You may read the transcript of the presentation as well. 

About the New Central Library

The Baker District Redevelopment is a City of Guelph development project aimed at transforming the existing parking lot and properties fronting the north end of Wyndham Street into a unique mixed-use development, including a new central library.

The Downtown Secondary Plan envisions the Baker District redevelopment becoming a model of urban intensification that drives visitors to the downtown and encourages business to thrive within its boundaries by combining residential and commercial spaces.

The City has explored concepts for the site, formally endorsing the 2009 concept and 2014 concept, which would achieve:

• Increases to downtown visitation
• Increases to the downtown residential population
• Improvements to connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles
• Establishment of new architectural landmarks
• Adding additional public parking
• Incorporation of best practices in environmental design
• Availability of affordable housing

The redevelopment will include:

• New central library (Guelph Public Library)
• Residential
• Commercial/institutional
• Public parking
• Urban square

Timeline of Events

To learn more about the timeline of key events and decisions relating to the new Central Library, read about The Path Towards Guelph’s New Central Library.

Learn more about the Baker District redevelopment  and the new central library.  

Have Your Say

Get involved! Stay informed! Have your say! Sign up at haveyoursay.guelph.ca

To date, we’ve engaged the public on Baker District (2008–2009) and the new central library (2012 and 2017).

As we move forward, there will be more opportunities for the community to participate in the development of the Baker District, both through the Guelph Public Library as it develops the new library space and programming, and the City as the Baker District design concepts are developed and refined.

As this multi-year project progresses, opportunities for engagement will be shared with the community via our social media channels (Twitter and Facebook), online, and in the City News pages of the Guelph Mercury Tribune.