Hello Ward 13

As we settle into the back half of the hazy summer heat, I’m encouraged by the optimism rising in London—especially downtown. July’s events drew record crowds, and you could feel the city’s heartbeat beneath your feet again.

Our resilience is on full display this month as well. The Sweet Treat Trail invites you to wander from gelato counters to pastry cases, collecting points on a free digital passport that you can convert into Downtown Dollars. Ribfest returns to Victoria Park for the Civic Holiday weekend, filling the heart of the city with live music and the aroma of slow-smoked ribs. And new smart battery-recycling bins are popping up in libraries and community centres, making it easier than ever to tread lightly on the planet.

While we savour summer, we’re also planning for tomorrow. Feedback on the new Downtown Master Plan closes August 22—your ideas will shape how we live, work, and gather in the core for years to come. Registration is open for September’s workshops on London’s next Economic Development Strategy, a chance to map our competitiveness in a changing economy. Region-wide, the Middlesex-London Food Policy Council has launched a Regional Food Systems Alliance and is seeking volunteers to knit together urban, rural, and Indigenous food producers.

Closer to home, infrastructure projects continue to strengthen our foundations. Inspections are under way on Kensington Avenue, where some homeowners may qualify for free water-service replacements ahead of next year’s reconstruction. On August 11, crews break ground on a major sanitary sewer expansion near Ivey Park, which will increase wastewater capacity for much of downtown—expect detours for pedestrians and cyclists through 2026. Design work also advances for full street renewals on Edinburgh and Paul Streets, slated to begin in 2026.

The Community Chats have been very informative, and I’ve taken many ideas back to staff to address local issues. I appreciate everyone who has come out to the chats. We’re finalizing a new date for Cavendish Park and adding a Midtown session at residents’ request—more information on dates, times, and locations are coming soon.

Thank you for supporting local businesses, lending your ideas to City initiatives, and showing up for one another. Together we’ll keep Ward 13 vibrant and resilient, whatever uncertainties lay before us.

Warm regards,

David Ferreira
Councillor Ward 13, London Ontario
519-661-2489 ext. 4013 | dferreira@london.ca

For more information on newsletters, ward meetings, current city initiatives, and other resources, please visit my website at www.davidferreira.ca.

Reminder: Downtown Master Plan Feedback Closes August 22

The City is creating a new Downtown Master Plan to guide growth, improve public spaces, and strengthen downtown as a place to live, work, and visit. If you haven’t yet, share your input before August 22 to help shape the plan.

🔗 https://getinvolved.london.ca/downtownplan

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #DowntownLondon | #DowntownMasterPlan

Downtown London launched a delicious new adventure: the Sweet Treat Trail! This self-guided tour invites you to explore local gems serving up everything from ice cream and pastries to rich, chocolatey desserts.

Sign up for a free digital passport to check in at participating spots, collect points, and redeem Downtown Dollars or special offers. It’s a fun (and tasty) way to support local while treating yourself.

🍰 View the trail and sign up here.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #SweetTreatTrail | #DowntownLondon

Get ready for one of London’s biggest summer traditions—Ribfest is back in Victoria Park from Thursday, July 31 to Monday, August 4, 2025!

• Hours:

  • Thursday to Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

  • Monday (Civic Holiday): 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

🔗 More info: canadasbiggestparty.com/london-ribfest

♻️ Clean-Up and Community Pride
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team keeps things running smoothly, managing waste, maintaining cleanliness, and keeping the park welcoming for everyone.

Whether you’re coming for the food, the music, or just the downtown summer atmosphere, Ribfest 2025 promises to deliver.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #Ribfest | #VictoriaPark | #DowntownLondon

The City is developing a new Economic Development Strategy to guide London’s growth and competitiveness in the years ahead. Early milestones are now complete, including economic research, market analysis, and engagement with Council and staff.

We are hosting a series of workshops this September, which will bring together business, nonprofits, and community leaders to identify opportunities and challenges across key sectors—from tech and health to small business and manufacturing.

These conversations will help shape a draft strategy, expected later this year.

📊 Learn more and stay involved at getinvolved.london.ca

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #EconomicDevelopmentStrategy | #Growth

The Middlesex London Food Policy Council (MLFPC) has launched a new Regional Food Systems Alliance to strengthen collaboration across urban, rural, and Indigenous communities.

Following visioning sessions and a July 10 virtual meeting, the Alliance now has a shared vision and structure with five advisory groups planned to guide the work ahead, starting this fall.

Want to get involved or stay in the loop?

• Join an advisory group

• Sign up for updates via the MLFPC newsletter

Visit the Alliance webpage to explore the vision, read the July recap, or share with others across Elgin, Oxford, Perth, Huron, and beyond.

Together, we’re growing something bigger.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #MLFPC | #RegionalFoodSystemsAlliance

The City is launching a new battery recycling program in partnership with Recycle Your Batteries Canada. Starting this summer, smart recycling bins will be installed at locations across London, including libraries and community centres, making it easier than ever to safely recycle used batteries.

Click for more info 

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #BatteryRecycling | #Sustainability

As part of the upcoming Kensington Avenue reconstruction, the City is reviewing water service lines and electrical grounding at select properties. Some homes may be eligible for a full water service replacement (all the way to the water meter) at no cost.

To confirm eligibility, City staff are contacting homeowners to schedule inspections of water meters and grounding configurations. If you’ve received a letter about this, please contact the City to book your inspection.

📞 Project contact: Gage Gonyou @ 519-661-2489 x8411 gqonvou@london.ca

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #PropertyInspection | #KensingtonAve

Starting August 11, the City will begin work on a major sanitary sewer expansion project near Ivey Park and Mitchell A. Baran Park to improve downtown sewer capacity. The project includes a new sanitary siphon tunneled under the Thames River and is expected to run until Summer 2026.

📍 Construction zones include parts of Ivey Park and Mitchell A. Baran Park, which will be temporarily closed.
🚶‍♂️ Pedestrian and cyclist detours will be in place.
🚗 Expect minor traffic disruptions near Thames Street and Riverside Drive.
🌳 Tree removals will be followed by new plantings after construction.

➡️ Learn more at getinvolved.london.ca

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #SewerExpansion | #Construction

The City of London is planning infrastructure renewal projects on two Ward 13 streets next year:

📍 Edinburgh Street (Foster Ave to east of Woodward Ave)
📍 Paul Street (Lorraine Ave to Wharncliffe Rd N)

Work will include:

• Replacing storm and sanitary sewers

• Partial private drain connection renewals

• Sidewalk upgrades and additions

• New curbs, gutters, and asphalt road surfaces

• Tree removals and restoration where needed

Pre-construction surveys and site investigations are underway now. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026 and wrap up by Fall 2026, with minor finishing work into Spring 2027.

🔍 Search your street on the Renew London map

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #StreetUpgrades | #Construction