Orillia reveals proposals for waterfront redevelopment
Plans to develop a significant piece of waterfront property in Orillia have taken a major step forward.
The City of Orillia revealed on April 9 that it has received responses to its request for proposals (RFP) for the project from the two proponents it shortlisted in the summer of 2019: FRAM Building Group and TPI Acquisitions (Tribal Partners).
The city released the RFP for approximately 8.6 acres of land adjacent to Orillia’s waterfront for future redevelopment in December 2020. The companies are bidding to purchase the municipal-owned lands for redevelopment, and included their visions for the project in their proposals. The city has now opened a public consultation into the project.
“The redevelopment of the strategically located property at 70 Front St. N. is a great opportunity to better connect our historic downtown with our beautiful waterfront and bring new residents and businesses to the core of the city. After years of feedback and public consultation about the future of Orillia’s downtown and waterfront, we are very excited to reach this milestone where the vision comes into focus,” said Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke. “The RFP process has helped guide and shape the redevelopment so that it matches and further enhances the character of Orillia and meets the development principles as determined by previous public consultation.”
The proposal from FRAM Building Group calls for three phases of work to create a mix of residential and commercial buildings, as well as a public square at the base of Mississaga Street East. The company would also keep the existing Metro supermarket store.
FRAM’s proposal comprises more than 206,000 square feet of development, including 62 townhomes, 89 residential apartments, and 3,000 square feet of additional commercial space. Most of the townhomes in the proposal would stand three storeys tall, with the proposed apartment building at the corner of Front and Coldwater rising to eight storeys
Tribal Acquisitions (Tribal Partners), meanwhile, has proposed a new pedestrian boulevard along the development, and facing the waterfront. A public plaza would be sited at Centennial and Mississaga streets, with a five-storey hotel proposed for Mississaga Street East, and a series of townhouses, apartments and live-work units with heights of between two and five storeys planned along Centennial Drive.
The developer has also said it will put a strong emphasis on sustainability by building almost entirely out of sustainable and local building materials. Wood features prominently.
Next steps in the project see the city’s public consultations open through April 18. The city will weigh that input with the work of its Waterfront Working Group, which will conduct the project’s formal evaluation.
“The 2022 realignment of Centennial Drive, the extension of Coldwater Street to open up the viewscape to the lake, and this exciting redevelopment project, will bring the vision of the Downtown Tomorrow Plan to life,” said Clarke. “As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, I am filled with hope to see the positive progress our city continues to experience despite these challenging times.”
The city anticipates announcing the successful proponent by late summer 2021.