Downtown revitalization draws nearer

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

"This is when it becomes real."

With those words, Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton gave an update on the downtown revitalization project at the Township offices on Monday. He said the Township has already met with a number of potential developers.

The Township of Uxbridge is seeking feedback from the development community on the future municipal sale and re-development of property in the heart of Uxbridge’s historic downtown. Potential developers are invited to provide feedback and be a part of the future sale and redevelopment process. Interested parties are asked to register by July 4 to arrange an individual meeting with the Project Team. Additional information is available in the Market Sounding Briefing Package

“We’re looking for a development partner who shares our passion for community-building and smart growth,” Barton said. “This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a legacy project that will define Uxbridge’s downtown for generations to come.”

He said the project is "a community plan, not a council plan."

Mary Bridger, head of the downtown revitalization committee, said this is a key moment in the project's progress and the committee will be seeking further input from the public at the Farmers’ Market on July 6, as well as at a town meeting in the Music Hall at 7 p.m. on July 22.

"It's about bringing residents and businesses together," she said.

She said the proposed town square will amplify the arts and music communities in town.

"We're already seeing movement," Bridger said, adding more information will be gathered in July and August, by which time "we should know who our partner is."

Barton said the expropriated building at the northeast corner of Brock and Toronto Streets and the Circle K building will be demolished this year.

Bridger said there will likely be lots of hoarding around construction sites in the future and they will be beautified.

York-Durham MP and former councillor Jacob Mantle described the revitalization project as "the Holy Grail of Uxbridge," adding it was good to see the floodplain roadblock removed.