In the Media

Say goodbye to long-standing train-related traffic delays. The Adelaide Underpass is now complete, including the improvements to McMahen Park.

On Saturday, August 9, the community gathered to celebrate this transformational project. The celebration included historical displays, community booths, fun for all ages at the park’s wading pool and playground, along with music and entertainment in partnership with London Arts Council.

The Adelaide Underpass improves mobility in one of the city’s busiest commercial transportation corridors better connecting the Woodfield, Old East Village, and Piccadilly neighbourhoods. The underpass also enhances access to nearby destinations, such as McMahen Park, with new multi-use paths, safer intersections, and improved infrastructure for all modes of transportation.

The City of London would like to thank the community for their engagement and cooperation during construction and the work to complete McMahen Park.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. This project was made possible thanks to these vital partnerships.

Quotes

“Infrastructure is the foundation of healthy and prosperous communities. The Government of Canada is proud to have supported the Adelaide Underpass through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream, to transform how Londoners move through their city, making travel safer, faster, and more accessible for everyone. This new underpass is a powerful example of infrastructure that meets real, everyday needs: easing congestion, improving safety, and preparing for future growth.”

- Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and MP for London Centre

“The Adelaide Underpass helps build a more accessible and inclusive city by putting people first whether they walk, bike, drive, or take transit. T oday, we’re removing a long-standing barrier and creating new opportunities for access and connection. I’m thrilled that this project is now complete along Adelaide Street and in McMahen park, creating important infrastructure that will be used for years to come.”

- Arielle Kayabaga, Deputy House Leader of the Government, and MP for London West

“Our government is making historic investments in transportation infrastructure to protect Ontario and keep people moving. The new multi-use paths at the Adelaide underpass have improved safety, accessibility and reliability – and created a new public space Londoners can enjoy together for years to come. This marks a milestone for the City of London and everyone who relies on this corridor.”

- Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London

“The Adelaide Underpass shows what partnerships across government can accomplish. Together, we’ve built one of London's most transformational infrastructure projects. The underpass has had an immediate impact on traffic in our city, with many Londoners already experiencing an easier daily commute or trip through town, while our latest improvements to McMahen Park are a welcome boost to the neighbourhood. I want to thank both the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario for their support – this project is yet another example of how we're forging strong relationships to deliver for London."

- Mayor Josh Morgan

About the Adelaide Underpass

Londoners have been making use of the underpass since it opened to general traffic in spring of 2024. Work is also now complete in the adjacent McMahen Park, including new gateway features and landscaping. With these finishing touches now complete, the community celebration marks the successful delivery of one of London’s most significant infrastructure projects, replacing a long-problematic at-grade rail crossing on Adelaide Street North impacted by delays, congestion, and safety concerns for Londoners walking, cycling, riding transit and driving, as well as emergency responders.

The City of London is receiving $1.08 million over three years from the Government of Canada to strengthen local enforcement of short-term rental rules. The funding is part of the federal Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund, which supports municipalities working to reduce the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability and neighbourhood well-being.

Short-term rentals - such as those listed on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo - have become more common in recent years. While these rentals offer flexible options for travellers, they can also remove homes from the long-term rental market and lead to community concerns around noise, safety, and waste.

To help address these issues, London’s Short-Term Accommodation By-law came into effect on October 1, 2022. The by-law requires short-term rental hosts and advertising platforms operating in London to obtain a licence. Properties must be the host’s primary residence and can only be rented for short periods, up to 29 consecutive days.

With this new federal funding, the City will be able to expand enforcement efforts including hiring more officers, increasing inspections, and providing education and outreach to rental operators.

Funding breakdown

2025: $380,000
2025–2026: $350,000
2026–2027: $350,000

Total: $1,080,000

Quotes

"The Short-Term Rental Enforcement Fund is helping address housing challenges by limiting short-term rentals that take away units from the long-term housing market. This funding is supporting the City of London to deliver short-term rental enforcement and compliance activities directly in the community.”

- Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

"This federal funding better equips us to protect neighbourhoods and preserve long-term housing for Londoners. It ensures we have the tools to enforce the rules while continuing to support responsible short-term rental operators.”

- Mayor Josh Morgan

“We’ve made good progress since the by-law came into effect, and this additional support from the Government of Canada will help us go further. It will help us respond faster to complaints, carry out investigations, and work with platforms and hosts to improve overall compliance.”

- Amanda Pfeffer, Director, Municipal Compliance

MPP Rob Flack was joined by Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport and City officials to announce a provincial investment of up to $1 million through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to support the City of London’s Silverwood Arena Redevelopment Project.

This investment will help transform London’s Silverwood Arena into a modern, multi-purpose and fully accessible community centre.

“Silverwood has been part of London’s story for decades, and this investment marks the start of an exciting new chapter,” says Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP of Elgin-Middlesex-London. “By supporting its transformation into a fully accessible, year-round community centre, we’re helping to build a space where families, youth and residents of all abilities can stay active and feel connected. This is exactly the kind of smart, community-focused investment our government is proud to make.”

“At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support projects that deliver better services for people while creating opportunities for communities to stay active,
” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “With investments like this in Silverwood Arena, we are protecting jobs, strengthening our communities, and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy — all while supporting the wellbeing of future generations.”

The Silverwood facility, originally built in 1963 as an open-air hockey rink, was decommissioned as an ice arena in 2018. The redevelopment project is transforming the site into a unique city-wide recreation destination, including a year-round dry pad for sports and programming, accessible washrooms and entrances, introduction of HVAC and roofing systems and multi-use community spaces.

"The Silverwood Arena Redevelopment Project is delivering a healthier, active London while sustainably rejuvenating our city's public spaces," said London Mayor Josh Morgan. "This investment from the province reflects our strong relationship as Silverwood is restored to its role at the heart of the neighbourhood, becoming a community centre all Londoners can be proud of."

The project, now nearing 60% design completion, is scheduled to begin phased construction in 2025. The redeveloped facility will open to the public in 2027.

Once complete, Silverwood will operate as a full-service recreation centre open 12 months a year, 7 days a week. It will offer a variety of drop-in and registered programs, youth sports, rentals and events.

The Silverwood Redevelopment will also incorporate key sustainability and accessibility upgrades, including enhanced thermal insulation and larger washrooms ensuring the space can serve all Londoners now and for generations to come.

To learn more about the Silverwood Redevelopment Project, visit: Silverwoods Park & Arena/Community Centre Redevelopment | Get Involved London

The City of London invites Londoners to celebrate the completion of the Adelaide Underpass at a community gathering on Saturday, August 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McMahen Park, located beside the underpass.

Londoners are invited to enjoy local food, live entertainment, games, face-painting, and displays highlighting the area’s history, as well as community contributions to the project. The McMahen Park wading pool will also be open. Remarks from local dignitaries and project champions will start at 11:15.

Londoners have been making use of the underpass since it opened to general traffic in spring of 2024 however, work has continued to complete finishing elements in the underpass and adjacent McMahen Park, including new gateway features and landscaping. With these finishing touches complete, the community celebration marks the successful delivery of one of London’s most significant infrastructure projects, replacing a long-problematic at-grade rail crossing on Adelaide Street North impacted by delays, congestion, and safety concerns for Londoners walking, cycling, riding transit and driving, as well as emergency responders. “What was once a challenging part of our transportation network is now a source of pride and enjoyment for anyone who travels through the area or spends time in McMahen Park. This is a project that will benefit our city for generations to come, and I look forward to celebrating its successful completion with the community,” said Mayor Josh Morgan.

The Adelaide Underpass not only improves mobility in one of the city’s busiest commercial transportation corridors; it also improves connections between the Woodfield, Old East Village, and Piccadilly neighbourhoods and enhances access to nearby destinations such as McMahen Park, businesses, and other amenities. It also includes new multi-use paths, safer intersections, and improved infrastructure for all modes of transportation.

The $87.6 million project was made possible through support from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario. Funding through the federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP): Public Transit Stream specifically supported active transportation components, including multi-use paths on both sides of Adelaide Street North beneath the Underpass.

Event Details
What: Adelaide Underpass Community Celebration
When: Saturday, August 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: McMahen Park (beside the Adelaide Underpass), 640 Adelaide Street North
Activities: Local food, entertainment, games, face-painting, historical displays, wading pool, and more

Come celebrate this historic achievement and the future it helps shape!

Mid-year milestone reflects strong growth in building and housing sector

As of July 1, 2025, the City of London has issued building permits totalling over $1 billion in construction value for 2025. This mid-year milestone puts the City on pace to match last year’s impressive record-setting total construction value of $2.2 billion.

The $1 billion represents over 1,800 permits issued since January 2025, enabling the construction of more than 2,350 new residential units across the city. This is largely attributed to the City’s creation of a process that prioritizes housing developments set to begin in 2025 by fast-tracking the approval of site plans and building permits. As a result, the number of approved housing units is currently the second highest recorded in the past 10 years.

“Hitting the $1 billion mark in construction value six months into the year demonstrates the continued confidence of the development industry in London,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “Our fast-tracking of developments made London a nationwide leader in site planning and permit approval timelines in 2024, and our progress this year proves we’re building on that momentum in our commitment to delivering more housing options to meet the needs of Londoners.”

The City of London continues to support sustainable growth through several important initiatives, such as implementing new or enhanced application processes and promoting higher density developments. This focus and commitment encourages immediate investment in residential projects and accelerates the housing supply to create a more vibrant, livable community.

“This milestone reflects more than just permit volume — it shows that the tools we’ve put in place to accelerate housing development are delivering results,” said Scott Mathers, Deputy City Manager, Housing and Community Growth. “By prioritizing large-scale residential projects and streamlining our processes, we’re making meaningful progress toward increasing housing supply and supporting our growing population.”

The five largest building permits issued to date in 2025, based on construction value, include:

• 100 Villagewalk Boulevard – Apartment Building (415 units)
• 1199 Riverbend Road – Apartment Building (277 units)
• 88 Colborne Street – Apartment Building (184 units)
• 760 Second Street – Apartment Building (250 units)
• 2190 Scanlan Street – Warehousing

As the City completes park construction this summer and fall, we’re excited to celebrate each of them with a community event

Today, the City of London shared an exciting update about the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund.

Construction is underway for several park improvement projects this summer, and as they are completed, the City announced today that a neighbourhood event will take place in each newly improved park. These neighbourhood events will feature music, games, and fun activities to bring neighbours together, engage Londoners, and share the improvements made to each park.

“London’s parks are a symbol of our city, and the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund is making exciting upgrades that every Londoner can enjoy, from new swings and play structures to shade shelters and improved courts,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “In addition to these enhancements, the City will be hosting neighbourhood events in each newly improved park throughout this summer and fall. These are a great opportunity to experience the improvements yourself and connect with your community, and I encourage everyone to join us and get involved.”

Murray Park will be the site of our first celebration, taking place Wednesday, June 25, from 4:30-7:30pm. Last year, Murray Park was one of the improvements supported by the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund, and the City has finished constructing a new basketball court and has added park seating.

The City’s Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund is supporting 23 park improvement projects across the London being constructed between 2024 and 2027. Four million dollars had been allocated to the fund as part of the Mayor’s Property Tax Supported Budget (2024-2027). Improvements are underway for several projects that are being funded from the fund.

2 projects were completed last year

10 projects are being constructed this year

9 projects are expected in 2026

2 more are forecasted for 2027

“Events like this bring neighbours together,” says Cheryl Smith, Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community Wide Services. “They help us build stronger, more connected, and more caring communities. We hope you can join us to celebrate neighbourhood parks as a place of recreation and connection, while experiencing the new features that make the parks more enjoyable, inclusive, and accessible for everyone in the neighbourhood.”

“These improvements happening across the city help create a more welcoming gathering space for kids, families, and the entire neighbourhood,” says Kelly Scherr, Deputy City Manager, Environment and infrastructure. “We’re constructing park projects that have an important impact in the community, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate them with you.”

Park celebration schedule

Update: A previous version of this webpage included an event in Kiwanis Park. This neighbourhood event has been postponed. More information will be shared at getinvolved.london.ca/neighbourhoodparksimprovements when available.