City pursuing opportunity to improve waterfront experience

For immediate release (March 31, 2015) – Orillia City Council approved a motion Monday allowing staff to pursue the acquisition of property located at 70 Front Street North, more commonly referred to as the Metro shopping plaza. 

“Council has a rare opportunity to acquire lands ideally situated between the downtown core and the waterfront,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “The redevelopment of these lands has the potential to not only create stronger linkages between our waterfront and downtown core, but could act as a catalyst for the redevelopment of surrounding lands, transforming the waterfront into a community hub and premiere tourist destination.” 

The Downtown Tomorrow Plan is a visionary strategic plan which aims to revitalize the City’s downtown and waterfront by strengthening the connection between the two.  The purchase of property located at 70 Front Street North could potentially satisfy several priority recommendations within the plan, including recommendations to provide housing opportunities close to the waterfront, extending Coldwater Street to the waterfront and redeveloping properties in the downtown core which may, “set the stage for broader investment in the Downtown”. 

The purchase of the plaza is specifically identified as an action item within the plan. 

“Although the City is not in the business of development, it is imperative that we are in the business of facilitating development,” said Clarke. 

As Council and staff move into the due diligence phase of the acquisition, details regarding the purchase will remain confidential so as not to compromise the potential purchase. Once the purchase of the property is complete additional details will be available to the public. 

“The Downtown Tomorrow Plan incorporated a wealth of public and stakeholder feedback and included an extensive review of background information and case studies,” said Clarke. “Council is confident that this investment will pay for itself by stimulating private development along the waterfront, and rejuvenating the downtown and waterfront experience for residents and visitors alike”. 

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca. 

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Ian Sugden
Director of Development Services
705-329-7256
isugden@orillia.ca

Laura Thompson
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-826-4399 (cell)
lthompson@orillia.ca