The Town of Gananoque is pleased to announce that the agreements for two exciting new lowertown developments have been signed.
RMP Construction signed an agreement earlier June to development 175 St. Lawrence Street known as the Mitchell Wilson property. More recently, Brennan Custom Homes signed to develop 15 Clarence Street known as the Camcar Textron building and 60 Mill Street known as a the Wireshed. This comes after a long process of public consultation and negotiations.
“To be a part of the Town creating new growth is exciting” indicated Mayor Erika Demchuck. “This is a good time for Gananoque with the redevelopment of both of these tired sites. It will create new growth and new assessment, all of which Council has strived to do.”
Next steps for both developments is for each developer to undertake their due diligence. This will focus on environmental site assessments and remediation plans as both sites are consider Brownfields given their prior uses of property. The closing of both agreements is contingent upon the due diligence period.
RMP Construction anticipates remediation to begin the fall of 2013 and moving into construction thereafter. The construction will be a mixed use commercial residential development with 11 commercial units and 58 residential units in a four storey structure with a heritage facade. Anticipated completion for this project is 2016.
“I write to express my utmost support of the Town of Gananoque’s Catalytic Waterfront Redevelopment,” says Robert Pelda. “As the President of RMP Construction and Development, and recent owner of The Mitchell Wilson Property, in Gananoque. I recognize the tremendous community benefit and potential the Island Harbour Club project will bring to the community. Having completed many Environmental and Brownfield properties throughout Ontario and Canada, I can testify to the
need for public private partnership to realize success in redevelopment of projects such as being presented in Gananoque.”
Brennan Custom Homes is a phased project which will include residential, public park and walkway and 185 Mill Street (formerly Cliffe Craft). Brennan will begin its environmental assessment shortly including the construction of a model show room. Anticipated completion for this phased development will be determined upon completion of the environmental assessments.
Daniel J. Greenglass, Partner, Clarence Street Developments Inc., said “We are very excited to be part of the historic residential re-development of Gananoque’s Lower Town which will bring a vibrant new life to the derelict industrial buildings that have been sitting empty on this site for decades. The new public park and waterfront walkway will create a wonderful amenity for all Town residents and visitors to experience. I think there is a very bright future for the Town of Gananoque and we are excited to be part of this historic project.”
These new waterfront developments will capitalize on the existing and planned assets and attractions that define the Town’s waterfront as a premier destination. Nestled in the heart of this waterfront location, the development sites are within walking distance of the Town’s commercial core, several municipal parks, a municipal marina, the Gananoque River and St. Lawrence River. The building designs are created to celebrate and reflect our cultural heritage and include public green space.
“Once they are built, Gananoque will be transformed”, says an article in the Millier Dickinson Blais newsletter no. 41. “Lowertown’s gentrification represents an unparalleled opportunity for the Town of Gananoque to drive tourism investment, commercial growth and waterfront development in a manner that will reaffirm the community’s place as one of the country’s pre-eminent heritage and recreation destinations.”
The Town of Gananoque is pleased to welcome investment and business into the community. These projects will increase the tax base, increase tourism opportunities, enhance our vibrant waterfront and act as a catalyst for investment attraction.
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Release source: Corporation of the Town of Gananoque | Photo source: Gananoque.ca ‘Town Hall’