Plaza redevelopment plan ‘one of a kind’

Brantford city councilors used words like “transformational”, “unprecedented” and revitalizing” to describe a $1.5 billion-plan to redevelop the FreshCo Plaza at 50 Market Street South.

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“This development is transformational for our community,” Coun. Richard Carpenter said at a Thursday planning committee meeting. “It’s one of a kind.

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“We’ve never seen such an upscale, intense development like this and I’m sure glad we’ve moved the height limits to 25 storeys because this (development) is going to make a difference in our community.”

Carpenter said the city has spent a lot of years and taxpayer money to improve the downtown.

“The only way to make downtown successful is putting people there, having them living there, making it a place where people want to be,” he said.

Carpenter said the proposal represents the future of commercial development in the city and will significantly change the downtown.

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Carpenter made the comments prior to the planning committee recommending for approval a zoning bylaw amendment to allow the proposal to move forward. The decision will come before council for approval on April 30.

The 4.85-hectare property is at 50 Market Street South at Icomm Drive. Purchased by Canadian Properties Ltd. in 2021, the property is home to several commercial enterprises including a FreshCo grocery store, a Beer Store, LCBO outlet and a Boston Pizza to name just a few.

Canadian Properties wants to redevelop the property into a mix of residential and commercial uses that includes just over 2,300 housing units.

The residential component includes 1,763 market housing units, 290 student housing units and 254 rental housing units in townhouses and high-rise apartment buildings.

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Plans call for the development to be done in stages to ensure residents continue to have access to the existing commercial outlets including the grocery, beer and liquor stores during construction.

Depending on approvals, work on Phase 1 could begin as early as 2025. Phase 1 calls for the existing Boston Pizza and Beer Store to be demolished and relocated to another area of ​​the property.

Representatives of Canadian Properties have vowed on several occasions that residents will continue to have access to the existing retail outlets during construction.

Brian Bee, a Chatham Street resident, attended the meeting and was happy to hear stores will remain open during the redevelopment.

“But we do have to consider what’s appropriate for Brantford and the site,” Bee said. “How will the new businesses and residents be served by this redevelopment and how well does it relate to the community?

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“Looking at the renderings, and the model and some of the information what really comes to mind is a fortress and not a very inviting development.”

Coun. Brian Van Tilborg voted against recommending the rezoning by law amendment for approval. He said he felt he had to be the voice of those with concerns and aren’t sure if their concerns will be properly addressed.

Mayor Kevin Davis said the proposal is “unprecedented, transformative, revitalizing, invigorating.”

Davis said he understands the concerns but urged residents to look to the future.

“Think about what we’re going to have down there,” Davis said. “We’re going to have an area I suspect will be one of the most attractive areas in southwestern Ontario.

“We’re going to have a vital commercial development, student housing, student programs, feasible, affordable housing and across the street we’re going to have some kind of sports entertainment center and a casino.”

The library, the Sanderson Centre, the Grand River, trail system and the charming Eagle Place neighborhood are nearby, Davis said.

“It will be amazing,” Davis said.

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