Ridgeway Plaza Update: ‘New information’ for residents concerned about plaza in Mississauga

City officials say they have new information to deliver to residents about a large plaza in Mississauga’s west end that’s become widely known for “dangerous nuisance gatherings,” stunt driving incidents and other issues since it opened in 2022.

A second public meeting will be held later this month to bring residents and others up to speed on the most recent developements related to Ridgeway Plaza, Mississauga Ward 10 Coun. Sue McFadden said late this week in an online notice to the community.

The plaza, located at Eglinton Avenue West and Ridgeway Drive in west Erin Mills, has regularly attracted headlines the past few years related to excessive noise, street racing, parking concerns and other issues.

The City of Mississauga and the group that manages the plaza signed a new agreement two weeks ago in an effort to settle a years-long dispute between the two entities and make the large commercial area a safer, more welcoming environment.

Meeting to be held May 20

McFadden, who hosted the first public meeting in early March, said the second gathering — to be held online May 20 from 7-9 p.m. — will again seek to “address concerns raised by residents living in the neighbourhoods surrounding Ridgeway Plaza, located in Ward 8 and adjacent to Ward 10.”

She noted while the meeting is open to the general public, “the content will be geared specifically for those who live in close proximity to the plaza and it will detail efforts undertaken by municipal and police forces to reduce nuisance gatherings and address safety, noise, parking, traffic, litter and related concerns at and around the plaza.”

In addition to “new information” to be shared with the community, McFadden said the followup meeting is also being held because:

• There were space limitations at the venue for the first meeting, so all who wanted to attend were unable to do so.
• There were many more questions at the first meeting than there was time to answer them.
• The timing of the first meeting conflicted with a religious commemoration, which precluded some community members from attending.

Those interested in participating in the upcoming public meeting must register beforehand.

During the registration process, residents can submit questions related to the plaza if they choose to do so.

McFadden said she hopes those who are “directly impacted by the activities at Ridgeway Plaza” will attend the virtual May 20 meeting.

Beefed-up security to be in place at the plaza

Beefed-up plaza security is at the core of the recently struck agreement, which includes new measures that seek to “improve safety, support businesses and maintain a welcoming environment” at Ridgeway Plaza, the city said earlier.

The new measures are to be implemented immediately, the city noted in an April 15 news release, saying “several actions (are) expected to be in place by May.”

The plaza has become known since opening in 2022 for “dangerous nuisance gatherings,” excessive noise, street racing, parking concerns and other issues, city officials said earlier.

Various events staged at Ridgeway Plaza have brought with them numerous problems that also include loud music and other noise well into the late-night and early-morning hours, racing and stunt driving in the parking lot, fights, the use of illegal fireworks and many other disturbances.

Activities at the plaza have also attracted Peel Regional Police on a regular basis the past few years, with officers either responding in the moment to incidents as they’re reported or taking part in targeted enforcement initiatives.

Ridgeway Plaza (it’s actually two plazas — Erin Mills Centre and Platinum Centre) has been the subject of 112 public complaints since 2022, and the city had been looking at options to solve various issues at the location.

Known as a foodie destination, the plaza currently numbers 115 restaurants, according to a report presented earlier this year to the city’s planning and development committee.

Image shows location of Ridgeway Plaza (centre) and surrounding area.

City officials said earlier the new deal with Ridgeway Plaza Condominium Corporations, which manages the plaza, comes after a recent mediation process and establishes a “formal compliance and security framework to reduce nuisance gatherings at Ridgeway Plaza and help maintain a safe, welcoming space for residents, visitors and local businesses.”

To ensure compliance with city safety standards, Mississauga officials say the Ridgeway condominium corporations will “independently fund and implement the following site improvements”:

• Installation of security cameras, speed bumps and permanent access gates.
• Additional “No Parking,” “No Trespassing” and “Video Surveillance” signs.
• Increased security staffing on evenings when large celebrations are expected.

The City of Mississauga, meanwhile, will provide enhanced enforcement of parking regulations moving forward, officials said.

City and plaza will meet four times a year 

In addition, the city and Ridgeway Plaza Condominium Corporations will meet four times a year to “monitor progress and make adjustments as needed,” the city added.

“Ridgeway Plaza is an important and valued part of our community and we appreciate the collaborative approach taken by the condominium boards to reach this agreement,” Mississauga Deputy Mayor and Ward 8 Coun. Matt Mahoney said shortly after the deal was struck. “Safety has always been our top priority and we’re confident these steps will help address the concerns raised by the community and keep plaza patrons safe while supporting the plaza’s diverse businesses.”

Peel Regional Police have staged multiple enforcement blitzes, such as this one in 2024, the past few years at Ridgeway Plaza. (Photo: Peel Regional Police)

The condominium corporations that manage the plaza said in the wake of the agreement with the city that they’re committed to ensuring “a safe, viable environment for our commercial tenants and their patrons. By making these necessary, privately-funded investments in security infrastructure, we are ensuring continued compliance with city bylaws and protecting the long-term value of Ridgeway Plaza.”