As construction on London's first flex-street continues, the city and Downtown London have named the person who will oversee the four-block stretch once it is completed.
Savanah Sewell was announced Thursday as the manager of Dundas Place. Sewell is the co-founder of the Grickle Grass Festival, Winter Spectacular, and London Girls Rock Camp. She is a former Budweiser Gardens employee, coordinator of the MET artisans market downtown, and helped produce live, outdoor concerts during the 2016 Country Music Week downtown.
Her most recent endeavour saw her coordinate Masterpiece London, a graffiti art festival on King St., near Wellington St. in June.
“Savanah is a community collaborator,” said Janette MacDonald, CEO and General Manager of Downtown London. “She has a long list of experience creating inclusive, exciting programming for more than a decade. We are thrilled that she will be able to bring this expertise to Dundas Place.”
As manager of Dundas Place, Sewell will be responsible for coordinating activation, maintenance, and security of the space that runs from Ridout St. to Wellington St.
“Downtown London feels like my front yard,” said Sewell. “I love this community. From watching new small businesses open to hosting events, there is a real opportunity with Dundas Place to run alongside this momentum. There are amazing people working and living in our core and I'm excited to work with the community to make this the most interesting place in the city.”
Once completed, Dundas Place will be a curbless, flexible street that can be closed to vehicle traffic throughout the year for festivals and special events.
Construction on the project began in April and is expected to be completed over two years in two phases.