With a new Zehrs and Shoppers Drug Mart expected to open in June, followed by an eight-screen Cineplex this summer, plans are now underway for a six-storey condominium building on Cundles Road near Duckworth Street.
Details will be available at a town hall meeting will be held at Monsignor Clair Catholic School, 345 Livingstone Street, on April 12 starting at 7:00 p.m.
“We believe that this is a very important site for Barrie," said Karen Hansen, Pratt Homes owner.
"Of course we would like to see the residential component of the site completed. Pratt Homes is going forward to explore options for the viability of our involvement in the residential component."
Pratt Homes has submitted a rezoning application to the City of Barrie on behalf of Penady (North Barrie) Crossing in order to request removing the current requirement for commercial development on the first floor of the residential buildings.
"If we can come to an agreement with the City of Barrie and the surrounding residents on this base level commercial point, we would be honoured to assist with bringing the residential component for this wonderful site to fruition in north Barrie.”
Councillor Doug Shipley says representatives from Pratt Homes will make a presentation.
"I've been getting lots of questions about what's happening over there, and I hope people will come out to the meeting to learn more," Shipley said.
Pratt Homes will develop the site previously owned by Mady Development. This is the second plan to bring condos to the site. The first plan including about 200 condominium units, was cancelled in 2014 due to Mady's financial issues, and the land was later sold.
Deposits paid by buyers for the original condos — some in the range of $20,000 or more — have been returned to most of the investors in the MarketTown Condominium project, according to the site developer.
After several delays, the commercial development has sprung up over the winter and Shipley says the neighbourhood is excited.
"We will be able to walk to a movie and that's great," he said. "I get a lot of calls about this development. People are really excited to have this new shopping area and they want to know what's going on with the residential piece.
"It's going to be great for the area."
Work has moved inside in the new Shoppers and Zehrs stores and both expect to open in a few weeks. A Tim Horton's, TD Bank branch, LA Fitness, McDonald’s and Boston Pizza are also planned on the site.
The current Zehrs store on Cundles Road near St. Vincent Street will close when the new, larger facility is completed, and a new tenant expects to open its doors in November, 2016.
Giant Tiger recently announced plans to open a second store in Barrie on November 5.
The new Giant Tiger will be located at 201 Cundles Road East and will have approximately 19,000 square feet of selling space.
"We are very excited to be expanding in Barrie," said Thomas Haig, President and COO of Giant Tiger Stores Limited.
"The City of Barrie has shown Giant Tiger much support throughout the years and having a second location will be a great complement to the Giant Tiger family of stores."
Community events are already planned to celebrate the grand opening throughout the day.
Giant Tiger is a Canadian-owned family discount store established in 1961 in Ottawa's ByWard Market. There are now over 200 locations across Canada and over 7,000 employees.
