Orillia Closer To Paving Way From Downtown To The Waterfront

Orillia has sealed the deal to purchase the plaza at 70 Front St North as it moves ahead with its Downtown Tomorrow Plan. Past and present Councils identified the property as a key component for facilitating the vision of the Downtown Tomorrow Plan, which is to revitalize our City’s core and connect the waterfront with the downtown by extending Coldwater Street to Centennial Drive at the waterfront. “Council is excited about the future of this site and what it will mean for the long-term vision of the Downtown Tomorrow Plan and our waterfront,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “Council is making strategic decisions today that will put the City in excellent standing for future private-sector commercial, residential and tourism development in the City’s core that will redefine our waterfront and downtown.” The purchase of the 5.53-acre property official closed on Jan. 22, 2016, at a purchase price of $9.3 million. The City is currently in negotiations with Metro Inc. to have them purchase the Metro portion of the plaza, which, if concluded, will recoup a majority of the total purchase price. The City’s Official Plan and Downtown Tomorrow Plan highlight the importance of maintaining a grocery store in the core of the City to ensure future growth and development.