Good Googly Moogly!!!
110 metre tall?
---------------
http://www.lfpress.com/2014/06/25/land-a...ased-by-the-middlesex-london-health-unit
The future of downtown’s most valued property will be in the hands of county politicians not yet elected.
The corner of King and Ridout streets sits in an enviable position. On one side is the forks of the Thames and the city heritage that represents. On the other is Budweiser Gardens, the most visible reminder of the more than $100 million city taxpayers have spent to breathe life into the core.
But while the site is entwined in the city’s past and future, its fate will be decided by whatever Middlesex County council is elected in October.
For while the 1.6-hectare property has had city politicians dreaming of grand developments and even a splashy new city hall, the site is owned by the county and leased by the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
And do county voters care about what happens there? The issue isn’t even a blip on the election radar.
“I haven’t had any calls or face-to-face inquiries (about the site above the forks of the Thames). I don’t think ever,” said Southwest Middlesex Mayor Doug Reycraft, who’s held his seat for 14 years. “I would dare say there’s even a minority in Southwest Middlesex who even know the property belongs to Middlesex County.”
They will know soon. The county took its first step this month towards redeveloping the property when officials filed documents with the city to change the zoning to allow for a 30-storey tower.
County officials expect the city’s planning committee to consider its zoning application in September, and once zoning is decided, for the next county council to seek proposals for developing the site.
“It’s a very unique piece of property, and we want to make sure we are good stewards of that property for years to come. We don’t enter into anything lightly,” said Warden Joanne Vanderheyden.
She said the county will work with the city: “We’ve been in contact with the city regarding what their economic development plans are for downtown and especially the forks of the Thames.”
She’ll find eager partners such as Coun. Joe Swan, who has championed core development.
“We’re looking for an iconic development that showcases our history,” Swan said.
A highrise would replace the 45-year-old health unit, a building with little curb appeal and big maintenance bills, with public health seeking a new home for when its lease expires in 2016.
Even before the county sought a zoning change, Middlesex officials were inundated by public and private parties inquiries. But interested parties should know the county wants control over what is built and won’t simply sell to the high bidder, officials say.
[email protected]
- - -
BY THE NUMBERS
Middlesex County has asked the city to rezone its site overlooking the forks of the Thames to allow for:
110-metre-high, 30-storey building
200 apartments on 21 floors
375 parking spaces on three floors
Ground floor retail, restaurant and entertainment (4,500 square metres)
Five floors of offices (6,000 sq. metres)
Prev
Linear Mode
