The St. Catharines Municipal Development Corporation (STCMDC) plays a pivotal role in stimulating strategic real estate and economic development in the City of St. Catharines. To reflect its progressive vision and commitment to community growth, STCMDC engaged Tri-Media to design and develop its digital presence and establish a compelling brand identity.
STCMDC Website
Client details
Client name:
St. Catharines Municipal Development Corporation
Location:
https://www.stcmdc.ca/
Category:
Municipal Corporation Website
St. Catharines Municipal Development Corporation
Project Overview
Tri-Media was tasked with the complete design and development of STCMDC’s new public-facing website along with the creation of cohesive branding materials. The goal was to present STCMDC as a professional, modern, and community-driven organization while also making it easy for stakeholders to learn about and engage with its development initiatives.
- Lack of Existing Digital Identity: STCMDC was a newly formed municipal entity with no existing branding or online platform.
- Complex Stakeholder Requirements: The platform needed to speak simultaneously to city officials, investors, developers, and the public.
- Informational Clarity: Communicating complex real estate and development information in a clear and accessible format.
- Compliance & Accessibility: As a government-affiliated organization, the website needed to meet strict accessibility (WCAG) and usability standards.
- Future Scalability: The solution had to be flexible and expandable for future real estate listings and document repositories.
Tri-Media approached the project through a multi-phase strategy:
1. Discovery & Strategy
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Conducted research into other municipal development websites.
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Developed a brand positioning framework to highlight transparency, trust, and progressiveness.
2. Branding & Visual Identity
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Designed a new logo that reflects growth, structure, and municipal integration.
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Developed a color palette and typography system that balances professionalism with a modern civic aesthetic.
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Delivered brand usage guidelines to ensure consistency across digital and print media.
3. Website Design & Development
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Designed a responsive, user-friendly website with a clean layout and strong visual hierarchy.
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Developed the website using CMS for ease of content management.
4. Accessibility & Compliance
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Ensured all components adhered to WCAG standards.
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Included high-contrast visuals, keyboard navigation support.
5. Training & Handover
- Delivered a content management guide and ongoing technical support.
Key Features
- Responsive Design: Optimized for all devices including desktop, tablet, and mobile.
- Clean Navigation: Intuitive menu structure for effortless user experience.
- Dynamic Document Repository: Allows easy upload and categorization of PDFs and reports.
- Integrated Contact Form: Facilitates direct communication with the corporation.
- Governance Profiles: Highlights board members and organizational leadership.
- SEO Optimization: Basic on-page SEO setup to support discoverability on search engines.
Result
- Successful Launch: The website launched on time and within budget, receiving immediate positive feedback from city officials and the public.
- Improved Engagement: Stakeholders reported improved ease of access to project and governance information.
- Cohesive Brand Identity: The new branding elevated STCMDC’s professional image and established a strong civic presence.
- Content Control: The internal team now manages site updates independently, reducing ongoing costs.
Client Feedback
“Albert and the Tri-Media team provided exceptional support during the crucial start-up phase of the St.Catharines Municipal Development Corporation. As the inaugural General Manager, I relied on their accessible and efficient service for essential tasks, including logo design, business card creation, email signature development, and establishing our web and social media presence. They consistently delivered multiple high-quality solutions, all on time and within budget. Their contributions were invaluable in successfully launching our operations.”
— Tim Herbert, General Manager, STCMDC
Conclusion
This project is a testament to Tri-Media’s ability to bring clarity, purpose, and visual strength to a civic entity’s online presence. By delivering both a strategic brand identity and a scalable digital platform, Tri-Media helped STCMDC lay the foundation for transparent communication and future growth.