 |
| Main St's Face a Make-Over |
More and more Main St's are seeing a demise of the typical olders models - often ending up as a boon for real estate brokers. Take
Newmarket, Ontario's Main St for example, with the whiff of condo development lurking in the air, the time may be getting close to seriously consider having a closer look at the area in general.The current controversial development plan that has been apparently "approved in principle" by Newmarket Council has seen local opposition including from
the local BIA and has resulted in the
resignation of Main St area
Town Councilor Joe Sponga from the BIA's board over the contentious issue.
 |
| Nearby Fairy Lake could offer overlooking condos |
The local historical society has also come out against the new plan which exceeds the 4 story original by-law max allowed, with a plan that grows 7 stories high as a backdrop to the existing historical town clock, but keeps it in place. The same property, which recently served as a seniors residence, as well as hosting 3 businesses before having them removed in anticipation of an approved plan, has sat empty for several years now, an eyesore reminder that a solution needs be found and a compromise made. That is where they find each other now but I believe they are that stage where a decision on a plan becomes imminent, and, to that end, may soon be an area for
real estate hunters to start scouting.
With more and more government funding arriving " conditionally", tied to their "
sustainable communities" plans, you can expect these types of scenarios to repeat themselves over and over again across the country. As town's adjust to new plans and development for the changing faces of Main St, and as older properties are preserved, often as shell-fronts to backdrop buildings, expect the trend to continue.
 |
| Boarded up units attached to town clock |
In
Hamilton Ontario, local government has gone as far as to say all new construction on properties that currently house heritage type buildings
must use a plan the keeps them as part of all new development -
so it's law! This ensures that any new construction preserves history as part of the new plan which serves to appease both sides - those who demand preservation and those who demand growth. Expect this trend to catch on in cities and towns across Ontario and Canada.
 |
| Hamilton struggles to maintain old and new |
 |
| New plan keeps church front intact while builds the backdrop as a functional building. |
Reporting to you on trends in
real estate this is TP signing off! Happy trails!
 |
Hamilton, Ontario development
|
With more and more government funding arriving " conditionally", tied to their "sustainable communities" plans, you can expect these types of scenarios to repeat themselves over and over again across the country. As town's adjust to new plans and development for the changing faces of Main St, and as older properties are preserved, often as shell-fronts to backdrop buildings, expect the trend to continue.
There has been a lot of hyperbole about the Newmarket Main St. development. The fact remains that the developer on Main St Newmarket isn't building condos. He is proposing to build a rental apartment building with 165 rental units (including affordable housing) that Newmarket desperately needs. He is also proposing to keep the facade of the existing heritage buildings facing Main St in place for he isn't really changing Main St's look at all. I think that the additional rental apartments would actually improve our community and the project deserves consideration.
ReplyDeleteGood points Mr.B.the project has evolved over time but the current proposal is as you say but seems contingent on a land swap with the town. At the end of the day some sort of compromises should and likely will be worked out. All future models of development attached to heritage sites should heed the lessons earned and avoid years of vacant property woes.
ReplyDelete