Big plans and new look coming to Orillia
Orillia's waterfront is the jewel in the city's crown. Plans to connect it with the downtown has even visitors talking about the potential.
On Monday, Mark Locke took a walk along the waterfront with his daughter and believes incorporating both residential and business would be a good idea.
"It worked in Toronto. It could work here really well," said Mark Locke.
The city has selected Fram Building Group as the preferred proponent of a giant redevelopment next to the Metro supermarket on Front St. North.
"It's an exciting project for us absolutely; it's a part of rehabilitation and revitalizing the downtown," said Fred Serrafero, the senior Vice President for Fram Building Group.
The plan includes about 160 residential homes with an eight-story condominium and approximately 10,000 sq feet of commercial retail space. It will also connect Coldwater street to Centennial Drive.
"This is going to allow more people to access the waterfront and improve the views to the water. You have to design a place that fits in with the rest of the downtown," said Serrafero.
According to Steve Clarke, the mayor of Orillia, several years ago Council purchased the property to have a say on what kind of development takes place.
"The development we wanted, to make sure that it would match the character that is Orillia or enhance it, and that's exactly what this will do," said mayor Clarke.
Many businesses that line the downtown are excited about what the project will bring.
"Connecting the waterfront to the downtown, opening it up allows people to walk right through and enjoy coming to the downtown area," said Natasha McDonald of The Kitchen Shop.
The sale of the land to the developer should be finalized by the end of the year. The mayor is hoping to see construction start sometime next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Snow-covered bodies of 2 men from Senegal found in New York woods near Canadian border
Two men from Senegal froze to death were found in the snow of a wooded area close to the Canadian border, New York state police said.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years
An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.
Niagara Region 'proactively' declares state of emergency ahead of total solar eclipse
Niagara Region says it has declared a state of emergency 'out of an abundance of caution' as it prepares for an influx of visitors for next month’s total solar eclipse.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
Social media can alter children's brains and impact mental health: neuroscientist
Neuroscientist Emma Duerden says social media can alter children's brains and have negative impacts on their mental health.
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
Edmonton broadcasting giant Bruce Hogle dead at 95
An Edmonton broadcasting pioneer has passed away.