If you live in the area, you've no doubt seen the massive crane hanging over a construction site in the city's south end.
The South District Condominium project at Ashford Drive and Yonge Street, across the street from St. Peter's Catholic Secondary School, has received site-plan approval and a building permit to construct a seven-storey structure with around 180 residential units and 530 square metres (5,700 square feet) of ground-floor commercial space, according to an update from the city. There will also be a rooftop amenity space.
Coun. Sergio Morales, whose ward includes the property at 681-685 Yonge St., says he likes what the project will bring to the Yonge Street corridor, south of Big Bay Point Road.
"South District is poised to be what everyone wants in a full, mid-density building: well built, well designed, amenities and retail on the floor, and suitable parking," Morales told BarrieToday.
"The intersection has come a long way from a few years ago," he added.
There have been other high-profile development proposals presented in Ward 9 recently, including a 1,218-unit plan for Lockhart Road and Yonge Street.
There is also plenty of development happening around the Barrie South GO Station on Yonge Street and Mapleview Drive East, as well as a new high school in the area.
"What we need to ensure as we move forward is that this growth happens cohesively so that buildings and services complement each other, both on design and function," Morales said.
"Growth that occurs in silos (a reluctance to share information) is what people look at decades later and say 'who planned this?'. That’s the growth we need to avoid," he added.
