Several councillors expressed their desire to see a long-stalled development at a downtown heritage site move forward at a June 18 public hearing.
Mark Anthony Group was before council with the latest version of its project for the corner of Water Street and Lawrence Avenue, a four-storey residential-commercial building.
It害羞草研究所檚 a site The Daily Courier newspaper used to call home and the heritage brick facade of the building still stands, supported by scaffolding.
Mark Anthony Group representative, Slava Korshunov, told council restoration and preservation of the facade are central to the project.
害羞草研究所淓nsuring it remains a cornerstone of the neighbourhood害羞草研究所檚 historical charm.害羞草研究所�
The site has been sitting idle for the better part of five years as plans for a wine interpretive centre, and then a 12-storey hotel fell through.
Mayor Tom Dyas asked 害羞草研究所渨hy the change of direction and the rush害羞草研究所� to complete the project.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e a good neighbour and we want to clean up that site,害羞草研究所� Korshunov answered.
He added there were several reasons why the hotel and interpretive centre could not be realized, including agreements that fell through with neighbours and provincial liquor license restrictions.
害羞草研究所淚t has created a situation where a crane has been parked in the middle of our streets for a number of years now,害羞草研究所� Dyas said. 害羞草研究所淲e appreciate you being a good neighbour, but it害羞草研究所檚 been a long five years.害羞草研究所�
Councillor Rick Webber agreed.
害羞草研究所淲aiting five years in that mess and to come out with this result is disappointing.害羞草研究所�
Coun. Charlie Hodge pointed out that the current proposal is an improvement from what is currently on the site.
害羞草研究所淚t has a green look and enhances and keeps the historical venue to it. Hopefully, this is a win-win situation quickly.害羞草研究所�
Apartments in the building would be for sale or a minimum one-year lease.
Council gave second and third bylaw readings that will allow the project to be built to four storeys and 20 metres.
