Connecting the Waterfront and Main Street
The Downtown Tomorrow: Linking Orillia's Core to the Water study (Downtown Tomorrow Plan) recommended 33 strategic initiatives and 20 priority action items to better connect Orillia’s downtown core and waterfront areas. The Downtown Tomorrow Plan identified opportunities to extend several City streets to the waterfront, redesign and extend Centennial Drive, and extend the retail experience to the waterfront.
This vision informed the development of 12 Guiding Development Principles that builds on Orillia’s rich heritage and natural setting. Connecting the waterfront and main street extends the historic walkable pattern of streets and blocks to the waterfront. The Waterfront Redevelopment Project is a major milestone on the City’s Downtown Tomorrow journey.
See the Guiding Development Principles.
Read the Downtown Tomorrow Plan.
The FRAM Concept
After a detailed RFQ and RFP process, the City of Orillia selected FRAM Building Group as the preferred proponent for the Waterfront Redevelopment Project.
The design concept as submitted by FRAM consists of a mixed-used development that includes waterfront townhomes, an eight-storey condo building at the corner of Coldwater and Front Street, a variety of commercial space, green building practices, pedestrian linkages and more. Their concept will be further developed and refined through Site Plan Approval, community engagement and ongoing collaboration with the City.
FRAM is known for its innovation, quality and community building initiatives. Their mandate is to design, develop and build sustainable communities where people ultimately want to live, work and play.
View the concept details.
Further details - Coming Soon!
Learn more about FRAM and their past developments by visiting their website at FRAMSlokker.com.
Current Status and Next Steps
The City of Orillia looks forward to working closely with FRAM as they progress through the development approval process for the strategic brownfield site that links our beautiful waterfront to our heritage downtown.
Over the coming months The City and FRAM will continue to refine the development concepts, as presented through the RFP public consultation phase, through the Site Plan Approval process. We will also work together towards common project aspirations such as recognition for revitalization of a large brownfield in the City’s core, design excellence, and co-marketing of Orillia as the perfect place to call home.
Receive updates on the project by signing up for the Waterfront Redevelopment Mailing List.
Find the current status update of the Waterfront Redevelopment Project.
Contact(s)
