Barrie's skyline is about to change, and a new project may include the tallest towers ever built in the city.
Harmony Village could include towers nearly double the height of the city's biggest building so far.
Marlene Gladney lives close to where the new buildings will go but has some concerns about the height.
“I think they should keep in in line with all the ones that are around here,” says the waterfront resident. “Ours is 16 (storeys). The other is 16. I believe (another) is the same size, too.”
The City of Barrie sent out a letter to residents living along the waterfront this week outlining the developer’s proposed plan for Harmony Village.
They want to build five condos on land between the Nautica condos and the Grand Harbour condos along Bradford Street. The buildings could be between 22 to 31 storeys high. That's much higher than the buildings already in the neighbourhood. And if they hit 30 storeys, they'd become the tallest buildings downtown.
Harmony Village hasn't been given the green light to go ahead yet. They have a re-zoning application before the city.
“It's got significant development proposals in terms of the height, and the mixes of use including commercial and residential and institutional,” says Ryan Windle, manager of development control. “So it's a very significant application for us.”
If the developer gets approval, about 2,500 people could move in.
Along with the towers is a community centre, a gym, a wellness centre and a dinner theatre. The plan would also include a townhouse complex space for businesses, and a park.
“The whole idea in development, from our perspective, is to address the street as best as possible and make it feel like one connected environment,” says Rob Spanier, development team member.
City council will have the final say on what goes on the property, and how high the buildings will be. The first step in the process is a public meeting set to take place in September.
A final decision could be made by this fall.
