Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Midland Bay Landing Development project has been stopped following notification from Georgian Communities that they would no longer be part of the project.
Public engagement sessions planned for Feb. 4 and 11 are cancelled.
Barrie-based Georgian Communities was selected as the preferred developer in July 2022 following an extensive developer selection process and an exclusivity period had begun for technical investigations and the design development of the concept plans.
“Georgian Communities’ concept for Midland Bay Landing creatively builds on and enriches the current master plan, which was developed through extensive public engagement with residents,” the town and Midland Bay Landing Development Corp. (MBLDC) said in a joint statement at the time.
Midland purchased the 40-acre property from Unimin in 2013 for $4 million, plus a portion of the cost of a Phase 2 environment assessment to confirm the property is free of any contamination.
“The town will take this opportunity to consider options for the redevelopment of the Midland Bay Landing property,” Mayor Bill Gordon said in a statement. “With the current project being stopped, it allows the town to evaluate the financial impact, then consider re-engaging developers and the community on the development of these premier waterfront lands into a beautiful, welcoming space for our residents and visitors.”
In the coming weeks the Town will begin discussions regarding the future of the redevelopment project and the Midland Bay Landing Development Corporation.
Midland Bay Landing is the transformation of the 40-acre contaminated waterfront property from its former industrial uses into a vibrant, mixed-use, pedestrian oriented and accessible neighbourhood to help revitalize Midland and its historic, recently revitalized downtown and the harbour.
The announcement follows the recent resignation of CAO David Denault, who was said to be a major proponent of the development.