Connectivity could be the key to the proposed Allandale Transit Mobility Hub.
“I have this kind of vision where it’s the station district,” said Coun. Jim Harris, who represents this part of Barrie. “Maybe we will see more re-development, more retail and some beautification of the area.
“This is going to tie into the old Allandale Train Station…where you’ve got this new hub of activity and mobility. I think there’s lots of hope that this will re-vitalize Allandale.”
To be located near Allandale Waterfront GO Station, the Allandale Transit Mobility Hub could have 13 bus bays, ticket selling services for local and regional transit, parcel receipt, washroom facilities, a waiting area vestibule, offices and retail space.
The principle site of the new transit terminal would be the vacant parcel of land immediately north of the current bus facility at the GO station, formerly home to the Barrie Lawn Bowling Club. Buses would enter and leave the site near the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Tiffin Street.
Endorsed in principle by city council, the Allandale Transit Mobility Hub would provide transit services and connections between Simcoe County, Muskoka and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Barrie Transit’s route system and schedules would be adjusted accordingly if the hub is built.
It would also allow Barrie Transit terminal to become a permanent market, although there would still be city bus stops at the Maple
Avenue site. Transit staff will be undertaking a project to modify the bus network with the relocation of the main hub to the Allandale Waterfront GO Station, and to ensure a seamless transition of services from Maple Avenue to the new site.
Harris is hoping it might lead to some different attitudes as well.
“The City of Barrie is not planning to put a bunch of parking lots there,” he said. “Don’t bring your car, use the bus, you can walk, you can cycle, be dropped off.
“People will be able to get to the GO station through other means than just driving their car and parking it, to head for the rest of the day to Toronto (although all-day GO service is coming). There’s hope that it will add to the reduction of using a vehicle as a primary source of transportation to get around.”
Harris also hopes the hub will turn back the clock in this area, in a manner of speaking.
“When you look at Allandale and what it once was, it had its own little downtown, a
full-service area, and that has changed over the years. Banks and grocery stores…all those things aren’t there anymore,” he said. “If it’s the station district, where you’ve got…an active area, where there are things of interest, it might revitalize some small business, that commercial that’s really lost in the area.”
Harris noted the hub’s architecture is going to be in keeping with historical Allandale Train Station.
The hub carries a $9.9-million cost. Last year city staff submitted a project funding application through the Federal / Provincial Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). This project has since been approved to receive up to $7.5 million in combined federal and provincial funding, although there’s no transfer payment agreement yet. City staff are working with ICIP program staff to secure a formal agreement specific to the project.
Construction completion and building
occupancy is anticipated by staff in late 2022. Staff intend to return to council with an updated report outlining finalized project and program details. This report will include the site design, general building layout based on operational and community considerations and finalized schedules for council’s review and consideration.
Staff are proposing to construct the Allandale Transit Mobility Hub to include sustainable design elements aimed at reducing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs throughout the life-cycle of the facility.
Community information sessions will inform residents and neighbouring commercial property owners of the proposed development, timing and provide an opportunity to meet the project team, ask questions and provide comments through in-person or virtual sessions, as appropriate.
A dedicated project website will provide monthly project updates to residents,
including a project overview, benefits, overall project progress and look ahead at the schedule. Residents will have the ability to communicate with project staff through a public project phone line that will be established directly for this project. Project staff will strive to respond to all resident inquiries, concerns and comments within 48 hours.
Council gave final approval to a motion to endorse, in principle, the functional design of a new transit facility, as set out in the Allandale Mobility Hub Feasibility Study - subject to future capital prioritization and approvals.
