Ontario Construction News staff writer
Streetcar Developments Inc. and Dream Unlimited Corp. have been selected to revitalize the Collingwood Grain Terminals. Collingwood council awarded the contract last Thursday, approving a recommendation from staff.
As stipulated in the Request for Proposals, the proposal outlined a commitment to structural preservation of the terminals, optimized public access to the spit and to energize and animate Heritage Drive.
“Our proposal enables public access to the Spit, the Bay and the Terminal Building itself in ways that would not have been previously possible. The Terminal building is not just being preserved, its being infused with new life becoming a cultural, recreational, and economic community asset and a beacon for sustainability for the Town of Collingwood,” said Les Mallins, president of Streetcar Developments Inc.
The Collingwood Grain Terminals revitalization project is an opportunity to demonstrate how a public-private partnership can create a dynamic, high-quality year-round destination that will thoughtfully re-adapt the landmark.
Mallins summarized his proposal as follows:
- Preservation and adaptive reuse of the Terminals through the creation of a full-service and authentic boutique hotel, including restaurants and events spaces, that highlight the heritage attributes of the building and provide public access to the entire Terminal building.
- Public realm enhancements throughout the Spit, including new connections to the water, a reimagined Millennium Park, new trails and walkways, and a renewed focus on recreational and cultural activities for year-round public enjoyment.
- New marina building and facilities [In Collaboration with the Town of Collingwood and pending consultation and future Council direction], which will address the needs of the existing key stakeholders on the Spit and will transform the Collingwood Harbour into a marine destination unmatched on Georgian Bay and beyond.
Following the closing of the RFP, town staff completed a compliance review with the independent Fairness Monitor, followed by technical evaluation, and a closed session presentation with the evaluation committee which was observed by Council.
“The Collingwood Grain Terminals revitalization project is such a significant undertaking, likely one of the most impactful that Collingwood has seen since the Terminals were erected in 1929. Months of planning, reviews, public engagement, and evaluation to ensure the desires of the community are met for the Terminals’ future and the future of the Collingwood Waterfront,” said CAO Sonya Skinner.
Council will provide direction on next steps during the council meeting to be held Thursday, August 18th. If council awards the project to the recommended proponent, the bidder and staff will develop a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the various terms and conditions of the arrangement. The public consultation strategy developed by the proponent would commence shortly thereafter.
Learn more about the Collingwood Grain Terminals Revitalization and the processes taken to date: https://engage.collingwood.ca/collingwood-grain-terminals
For more information of the RFP process, see the latest staff report