Simcoe County has approved a new 50-unit affordable housing project in the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. This will be located on land that was donated to the Simcoe County Housing Corporation for this purpose by Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The mixed-use 4-storey building will include:
- Residences for eligible families and seniors
- A County of Simcoe Social and Community Services office
- Ground-level community space
Barrie Today reports that these donated lands at 125 Simcoe Road at the intersection of Simcoe Road and Marshview Boulevard will be accessible to adjacent pedestrian walkways and local transit and within walking distance to the GO Transit station.
In accordance with the Town's plan for the redevelopment of the Community Centre property, the construction of this housing build will cause some change to the current landscape at the building site. Upon construction, the tennis courts will be removed, and the west end of Cericola Field will also be impacted.
Other tennis facilities are available at Lions Park and Henderson Memorial Park, as well as the installation of new courts at Taylor Park in the coming months to replace the lost facility.
Ontario Construction News states that site preparation is just beginning and construction is scheduled to begin this summer. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2023 or early 2024.
Exterior building features include a high-quality and durable panel system at the residential levels, with masonry features throughout to provide texture and visual interest.
According to Bradford Today, this new building will contribute toward the County's target of creating at least 2,685 new units between 2014-2024.
"Building affordable housing is a priority for County Coucil and when Bradford West Gwillimbury approached us to offer some land in an ideal location, we were thrilled. Not only do we want to build affordable rentals in the communities that need them, we want to ensure that the rentals we build have access to the things people need close by such as commercial amenities, schools, parks and transit. This location gives access to all of these amenities, and as an added bonus, it is within walking distance to the town's future civic plaza."
Warden for County of Simcoe | George Cornell
The Community 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy sets out real targets and goals to create more affordable housing within communities across Simcoe County. By December 31, 2021, the County was able to report that 2,532 new units had been created since 2014, 94 per cent of the way to its overall target of creating at least 2,685 new affordable housing units across the region.
The Star reports that besides donating the land for the project, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury also approved the waiving of fees for the site plan, development engineering and building permit applications. It also offered to contribute toward the cost of relocating the overland storm water flow route through the site.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Bradford West Gwillimbury (0015090216)
