Developer selected for downtown project
Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Artistic rendering of what the town square may look like - looking north from Brock Street W.
Uxbridge has agreed to sell the downtown property on the northeast corner of Brock and Toronto Streets to One Horizon Inc. for $2.5 million. That 1.9-acre parcel includes the land currently housing the municipal parking lot and various buildings.
One Horizon Inc. was chosen following the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) process to select a developer, which began the middle of last July.
One Horizon Inc. is owned by the Mirkopoulos family. The family has donated $1 million to the Uxbridge Hospital Foundation and $2 million to the new Uxbridge Aquatic Centre.
Following the completion of the Brock Street Culvert project, the Township turned its attention to the revitalization of Lower Brock Street. The Township purchased 23/31 Brock Street West, for $3 million as part of the culvert project. Then it bought 12 Main Street North and expropriated 43, 45, and 47 Brock Street West at an additional cost of approximately $4 million to assemble 1.9 acres of land for the downtown revitalization project. Of that $7 million, $3 million had been allocated to the culvert project.
Artistic rendering of what an arched sign at the town square entrance may look like.
One Horizon’s proposed redevelopment includes an additional investment of up to $2.5 million by the developer to construct a new town square, new public washrooms and a blend of residential and commercial spaces.
The Township said the investment by One Horizon Inc. is expected to generate more than $90 million in long-term economic benefits, including commercial and residential revenue, increased property tax revenue, a significant rise in tourism and rentals, development charges, visitor spending, and growth in job creation.
On Tuesday afternoon, invited attendees at the Uxbridge Seniors Centre enjoyed wine and hors d'oeuvres along with a preview of what the developer intends to construct in the area.
Those invited were members of the downtown revitalization committee and others who had input into the project.
Another preview is scheduled to be held today (Thursday) for the general public.
Chief Administrative Officer Kristi Honey on Tuesday praised Mayor Dave Barton for his "absolutely essential" work on the project and said the developer's vision "is better than I could ever have imagined."
"(And) yes, we are getting a town square," she added excitedly, drawing applause and cheers from those gathered.
Mike Mirkopoulos, head of One Horizon, told the Cosmos he hoped to get a demolition permit this week so work could start on taking down the buildings that sit on the property. He said he then has to go through the process of planning, permits, assessments and such, but hopes to be ready to start the project in the Fall.