Waterfront Redevelopment Proposals Unveiled
The Waterfront Redevelopment Project has reached a major milestone with shortlisted proponents submitting their Request for Proposals (RFP) in a bid to purchase the municipally-owned lands for redevelopment. The City of Orillia wants resident feedback on the redevelopment visions submitted by the qualified proponents.
View the waterfront redevelopment virtual open house video, review the redevelopment concepts and complete the online survey between April 9 and 18.
This round of public input follows more than a dozen community consultation opportunities leading to the current project, including consultations through the Downtown Tomorrow Plan, the Centennial Drive Reconstruction Project, the Port of Orillia Area Public Realm Plan, the Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan and site-specific Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment applications.
TPI Acquisitions Proposal
The RFP is for approximately 8.6 acres of land adjacent to Orillia’s waterfront in December 2020. Two qualified proponents – FRAM Building Group and TPI Acquisitions (Tribal Partners) – submitted proposals in response to the RFP. The proposals are being carefully evaluated for both technical and financial submission requirements as defined in the RFP. Public feedback, focused on various aspects of the development principles, is part of the evaluation of the proposals and final negotiations with the preferred proponent.
FRAM Building Group Proposal
The Waterfront Working Group (Mayor Clarke, councillors. Tim Lauer, Ted Emond, Ralph Cipolla and City staff) established 12 development principles by which the proposals will be scored. Public input will focus on various aspects of the development principles. The development principles are:
- Support the City’s Downtown Tomorrow Plan and vision
- Optimize financial return
- Demonstrate a sustainable “green” approach
- Enhance the resident and visitor experience
- Respond to surrounding built form
- Integrate within Orillia’s downtown and waterfront area
- Consider downtown food and grocery needs
- Consist of simple and timeless design
- Consist of a high-quality public realm
- Promote a safe, comfortable and inviting pedestrian environment
- Integration of parking
- Integration of servicing
It is anticipated the successful proponent to redevelop the site will be announced following confidential real estate negotiations, by late summer 2021. Residents can also sign up to receive email list updates.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia: Images Supplied)
