This summary was produced using artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor for accuracy and clarity.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward called 2025 “a year of chaos” but said there is room for optimism, including anticipated investments in Burlington from two key projects.
During her State of the City address at Burlington Convention Centre on Friday, Jan. 23, Meed Ward said U.S. tariffs “affected everything from the cost of bread to the cost of housing.”
But she said Burlington is attracting entrepreneurs and investment. She specifically cited the vision for an estimated 116-acre (47-hectare) complete community at 1200 King Rd., and expansion of Mohawk College into the city.
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She said 1200 King Rd., stretching from Aldershot GO to King Road, will be a “template for how we plan complete communities — not just housing — around and adjacent to our GO stations.”
Meed Ward said it’s a “model of partnership” as developers work with city staff, city council and other community partners “to plan a vision before an application comes forward or shovel hits the ground.”
The King Road vision includes a sports and recreation facility, in addition to housing and employment.
“We are hopeful in the coming weeks and months, we will be able to share more great news and invite further participation and partnership as this work continues,” Meed Ward said.
The site was previously limited to industrial uses, and it sat vacant for decades, Meed Ward noted.
Owner Alinea worked with the city and the Province to amend restrictions and permit future residential, commercial, entertainment and recreational uses.
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The early vision includes thousands of residential units, post-secondary education, entertainment and community recreation facilities, including an arena and a hotel, parks and trails.
Alinea President Paul Paletta said investments and partnerships they will “announce in the near future relating to 1200 King Rd., which the Mayor has alluded to in her remarks, will help make this development, and Burlington itself, a regional destination for sports and entertainment and a remarkable place to live, work, play and learn.”
Mohawk College expansion
Mohawk College first announced plans to expand into Burlington in July 2024, working with the city and Burlington Economic Development to find potential locations.
During her speech, Meed Ward said Mohawk College’s expansion will include a future Healthcare Campus, in partnership with local health teams, hospitals, the Region of Halton, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, and local provincial politicians.
“It will be much more than an academic space,” Meed Ward said. “It will strengthen our health-care system, support workforce development in high-demand health professions, and reinforce Burlington’s role as a city that plans ahead.
Mohawk College Communications Director Sean Coffey confirmed the college is planning a Burlington Healthcare Campus to help address growing demand for skilled health care professionals.
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“The Burlington Healthcare Campus is being developed collaboratively with educators, health care leaders, and industry partners,” Coffey stated in an email after the mayor’s speech. “Education will be closely integrated with real-world, hands-on experience to ensure graduates are job-ready.”
He said planning is ongoing and a campus location is being finalized, but not yet being made public.
Coffey said once it’s operating, the campus is expected to graduate more than 1,200 new health-care workers each year, in programs like practical nursing, personal support worker, medical imaging, and pharmacy technician.
Burlington Economic Development and Tourism Executive Director Anita Cassidy said 1200 King Rd. represents a long-term city building opportunity with its scale and proximity to Aldershot GO station.
Cassidy said the city has less than 119 hectares of employment land available for development.
“That reality makes large strategic sites like 1200 King, at 47 hectares, increasingly important for delivering future jobs and ensuring Burlington can grow its tax base and employment opportunities while maintaining a balanced community,” Cassidy stated in an email.
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Cassidy said a project of this scale can strengthen Burlington’s capacity to host regional events and attract visitor spending with sports tourism, events, and multiday programming that supports hotels, restaurants, and local attractions.
She said Mohawk’s expansion into Burlington is an opportunity to develop the local workforce.
“A strengthened post-secondary presence supports Burlington’s ability to attract and retain talent, deepen partnerships between business and education, and enhance Burlington’s overall competitiveness,” Cassidy said.
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