Small Suburban Kitchener Construction

[Advance]

I was poking around on the tech triangle site and i came across the "South Kitchener Business Park" http://www.techtriangle.com/include/get.php?nodeid=301 and the "Rockway Business Park" http://www.techtriangle.com/include/get.php?nodeid=84 . Just interested to see what everyone think of these

[Spokes]

I was poking around on the tech triangle site and i came across the "South Kitchener Business Park" http://www.techtriangle.com/include/get.php?nodeid=301 and the "Rockway Business Park" http://www.techtriangle.com/include/get.php?nodeid=84 . Just interested to see what everyone think of these

Meh, they are what they are. There has to be places for industrial, so I'm ok with that, and it's probably the right location, but I hate that there's office included in these. Its hard to push people to the cores when they have this available.

More low density projects for waterloo region. Great.

[RangersFan]

At the intersection of Highland and Ira Needles a sign for another commercial centre is up and the details can be found below, but it seems to imply that some of the potential tenants will be Sobeys and RBC.

HIGHLAND RD W & IRA NEEDLES BLVD, Kitchener
http://www.fieldgatecommercial.com/property.asp?ID=20
Developer: Fieldgate Commercial
TOTAL GLA: 110,000 sq. ft.

[RangersFan]

I read about this project last night in the Waterloo Region News, says the project is nearing completion.

WHERE'S THE MONEY?
The province is very supportive, but they cannot confirm funding at this time'; Ray of Hope was touted as a way to save troubled youth grappling with addiction. Sunnyside nursing home was going to care for seniors who can't live on their own. Both were promised funding from the province. Until they get it, both are in jeopardy.
July 3, 2007 | FRANCES BARRICK, RECORD STAFF | WATERLOO REGION | http://news.therecord.com/article/211302


JENNIFER MacMILLAN, RECORD STAFF
Gail Carlin shows an architect's drawing of a proposed addition to Sunnyside Home.

A plan to build the region's first subsidized supportive housing for seniors has been on hold for almost two years because of lack of provincial money.

"We are anxious to move forward because we see it as a critical project for this area," said Gail Carlin, director of senior services for the region.

"The province is very supportive, but they cannot confirm funding at this time," Carlin said in an interview.

The region is one of two areas in the province that does not have publicly funded housing for seniors who need some support to live independently.

Building such housing was one of 61 recommendations handed down by Tom Closson in his 149-page report into emergency services in the region.

This seniors' project involves building an apartment complex on the property of Sunnyside nursing home on Franklin Street North in Kitchener.

It would house up to 30 apartment units for seniors who qualify for subsidized housing and who require minimal care because of frailty or stable mental-health issues such as early dementia. The complex would include a dining room, activity room and access to 24-hour personal care.

In 2005, the Ontario Ministry of Housing pledged $1 million toward the capital cost of building the complex.

But it has been on hold since November 2005 because the Ontario Ministry of Health has not provided the estimated $500,000 annual cost to pay for the cost of supportive services.

This type of housing would delay or prevent seniors from going to long-term care homes. The annual cost to house 30 seniors at a long-term facility would be about $1.5 million, one third of the operating cost for this project.

"It is substantially cheaper to have a person in supportive housing rather than moving them into a long-term care facility -- notwithstanding the point that we have no beds," Carlin said.

There are 400 people on a long-term care waiting list, she said.

Earlier this year, Closson, who was hired by the province to investigate local emergency services, said the region needs 450 subsidized housing units for seniors to help them stay out of nursing homes and hospitals.

This 30-unit project "is only a very small start with respect to the need for supportive housing for seniors in Waterloo Region," said Carlin.

In March, Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman told The Record he's started to work on Closson's recommendation for subsidized supportive housing for seniors in the region.

Last Friday, Smitherman spokesperson David Spencer said the ministry is still working on finding the operating funds for this project.

"We appreciate the urgency and the feelings that exist to move forward with this project. We are very cognizant of it," Spencer said.

But Spencer wouldn't say when the region could expect to get the needed money.

"We certainly appreciate the amount of interest and we are working on it actively. . . to bring it to a resolution as soon as possible," he said.


$7.5M project for seniors will be a first
March 5, 2008 | FRANCES BARRICK, RECORD STAFF | KITCHENER | http://news.therecord.com/article/318403

A $7.5-million supportive housing project for seniors was approved by regional councillors yesterday.

"I am very excited about this project," said Coun. Jim Wideman of Kitchener.

This seniors complex would be the first of its kind in Waterloo Region, Gail Carlin, director of Sunnyside home, told councillors.

It involves building an apartment building on the property of Sunnyside nursing home on Franklin Street North in Kitchener.

The three- or four-storey building would house up to 30 units for seniors who qualify for subsidized housing and need minimal care because of frailty or stable mental-health issues such as early dementia, Carlin said.

The building would also have a dining room, activity room and access to 24-hour personal care.

Councillors also approved the addition of a Wellness Centre in the new building. The $400,000 cost will be covered by private donations. The centre will offer a physiotherapy program, fitness centre, therapeutic bathing area and a clinic for massages.

The provincial government will pay $1.7 million of the apartment building's capital cost, with the remaining $5.8 million coming from regional taxpayers.

The province will also provide $633,000 towards the operating costs of the project.

There are about 9,000 residents over 55 who live at or below the poverty line, and 71 per cent of them are women, Carlin said in a report to council.

Coun. Jean Haalboom of Kitchener said she was initially shocked at the project's price tag but likes the project's concept.

"I think it is very important that we don't skimp and shove people into a place where we wouldn't want to live," Haalboom said.

Carlin said this type of housing would delay or prevent seniors from going to long-term care homes at a much higher cost.

Building housing like this was one of 61 recommendations handed down by Tom Closson in his 149-page report into emergency services in the region. Closson said the region needs 450 subsidized housing units for seniors to help them stay out of nursing homes and hospitals.

Construction is to start this fall, with completion expected in November 2009.


Huge garage sale to help build seniors' centre
March 24, 2009 | Record staff | Kitchener | http://news.therecord.com/article/508532

A gigantic garage sale will be held April 4 at the Sunnyside Home in Kitchener. Funds raised will go to the nursing home's campaign to raise $500,000 for a new seniors' wellness centre. The home is at 247 Franklin St. N. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.


New seniors' complex first of its kind in region
April 20, 2009 | RECORD STAFF | KITCHENER | http://news.therecord.com/article/523277

A new housing development for seniors in Kitchener received an extra $907,550 from the province. This brings the province's contribution to the Sunnyside supportive housing project to $2.1 million. The extra money was announced at a groundbreaking ceremony held Friday. Local politicians attended. Construction has started on the $9.7-million complex to be built at the Sunnyside nursing home on Franklin Street North. It will house 30 units for seniors who qualify for subsidized housing and need minimal care to live independently. This supportive housing for seniors is the first of its kind in Waterloo Region. Regional taxpayers will pay $5.9 million of the project's cost, with the federal government contributing $840,000.

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

/\ It been my intention to create a thread for the Pinehaven Nursing Home expansion within the next few days as it will be fairly large. When I do, I will move this post into the new thread.

[RangersFan]

from what I remember of your ssp post on this, it sounded like a pretty significant development. I added it to the KW Developments map.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Cornerstone
Mid-Rise Condominium - 62 Units
Block Line and Homer Watson, Kitchener
Developer: Reid's Heritage Homes
http://www.reidsheritagehomes.com/co...y/cornerstone/

Waterloo Region Record - February 13, 2010 - H8


Floorplans: http://www.reidsheritagehomes.com/co...loorplans.aspx

Features and Finishes: http://www.reidsheritagehomes.com/up...e-Features.pdf

Site Plan - February 4, 2010: http://www.reidsheritagehomes.com/up...s-siteplan.pdf


FootPrint - January 29, 2010: http://www.reidsheritagehomes.com/up...-FootPrint.pdf


Price List - February 5, 2010: http://www.reidsheritagehomes.com/up...ne-Pricing.pdf

[mpd618]

A condo development where parking spaces takes up several times the space of the building itself? Way to go Cornerstone.

Why do we still allow this pedestrian-hostile garbage? It's going to be walking distance to a light rail station, but this development is designed to facilitate only driving.

[Spokes]

In the image, is the exterior pink, or is that supposed to be red brick?

Please red brick

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

In the image, is the exterior pink, or is that supposed to be red brick?

Please red brick

Fingers crossed.

[Greg Moore]

Holy crap. Three bedroom 1,113 square feet. That is like a cage.

[jay]

Hopefully it's red brick. It's cheap so it will sell.

I wonder what they plan on doing with Kitchener Frame down the street on Homer Watson. It's probably contaminated and I can't see any manufacturing business buying it. What I fear is Martinrea International is so big they will just let it sit and rott and write it off as a lost.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Freeport Health Centre Expansion
3570 King Street East, Kitchener

Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie Labour Market Monitor: Service Canada, January 2009
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/o...itchener.shtml
More than 120 staff will be needed to staff the expanded facility, including more than 60 nurses and five new psychiatrists.

Grand River Hospital marks start of Freeport mental health expansion
Freeport Hospital - 05/04/2009
http://www.grandriverhospital.on.ca/...fm?pressid=300

Grand River Hospital's Freeport Site is now in the midst of an exciting expansion and renovation to provide Waterloo Region residents with new mental health beds and services. Hospital staff, donors and guests gathered at Freeport today to officially celebrate the start of construction on the expansion. Dignitaries unveiled a ceremonial tree to be planted at the site to mark the growth of the new service.

Grand River Hospital was privileged to be joined by Michael Howlett, president and CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Mr. Howlett spoke about the key areas Canada needs to address in order to integrate and increase access to mental health care. He called the Grand River Hospital expansion a leading move in the right direction.

"It's my wish that this is one of many such celebrations, and that expanding mental health services becomes the rule in Canada, not the exception," Mr. Howlett said.

The project will provide 50 new beds and programs for mental health patients in the region. It will allow patients who now travel to London to remain closer to home for specialized care. It will serve patients 16 years of age and older who may need stays of up to three months as they receive treatment for a mental illness. Patients who receive treatment at the K-W Site's acute mental health unit typically stay for a much shorter period of a week or two.

Specific aspects of the expansion include:

• A new 10 bed psycho-geriatrics assessment unit for elderly patients with a mental illness;
• A new 33 bed unit for patients with a severe and persistent mental illness, as well as a seven bed transition unit; and
• The development of mental health outpatient and outreach services on the site.

The new program will have flexibility to use beds for a range of mental health services, depending on the specific needs of the patient population.

New day programs to run at Freeport will help mental health patients who have received in-patient treatment and continue to need support as they live in their own homes in the community. This includes programs to help patients with personal, vocational, social, residential and educational skills along with services to improve their quality of life.

"The expansion of the Freeport Site to accommodate this new program and the enhancement of mental health services at the K-W Site will be welcome improvements for patients, families and health providers," said Kris Bailey, chair of the GRH Board. "I'm confident these improvements will enhance the care options available for patients and families, supported by a range of community mental health providers throughout the continuum of care."

The Government of Ontario had provided $11.9 million in construction funding for the expansion and renovation. Grand River Hospital was pleased when the Honourable John Milloy announced additional funding for the project at today’s event, bringing the government’s total contribution to $13.5 million.

Community donations raised through the Grand River Hospital Foundation will provide further funding to equip and furnish the new area for patients and families.

"Construction of the new mental health program at Freeport is a giant leap forward in increasing access to mental health services in our community," said Minister Milloy, the MPP for Kitchener Centre. "It is vital that we continue to work together as a community to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and ensure individuals with a mental illness have access to the programs and support they need."

The expansion will add over 9,000 square feet to the Freeport building. Two floors of the Grand River Terrace wing will have renovations to accommodate the new programs and services. The renovations are scheduled to take about two years to complete.

"The specialized mental health project at Freeport will be a tremendous addition to the range of mental health services available locally," said Dr. John Heintzman, Grand River Hospital’s chief of psychiatry. "The level of support I’ve seen from health professionals and community providers for this new program has been outstanding. We are all very enthusiastic to see construction begin."

The specialized mental health service will focus on several recovery principles to guide the provision of care. The goal of this approach is to improve the quality of life for people with a mental illness. It focuses on helping them to assume as much responsibility over their lives as possible and to function actively and independently in society with respect and dignity.

"Our family has first-hand experience with the difficulties in supporting loved ones receiving care outside the community," said Elaine Paton, who spoke on behalf of families at the event. "This long-awaited service will be a welcome one, and will help families give the love, encouragement and support on a daily basis that patients need as they recover."


WWLHINformation - September 2009: http://www.waterloowellingtonlhin.on...t.aspx?id=3502
Several additional initiatives will add much-needed capacity to the system. They include the introduction of 50 longer term, mental health beds that will be moving from London to Grand River Hospital’s Freeport site in 2010, and the introduction of 16 new addictions supportive housing beds in 2009-2010.


March 9, 2010

[Urbanomicon]

It looks like the land at Westmount and the Conestoga Parkway was recently sold. There looks to be a possible construction trailer parked there as well as some storage sheds. I wonder what's going to be going in there.

[UrbanWaterloo]

You're talking about the currently empty parcel of land to the north-east of the Howe Drive circle? If so that's a fairly large piece of land, I hope they put a tower fronting onto Westmount.

Just down the street 38 Howe Drive is set for demolition to be replaced with 10 residential townhouse duplex units. DEMOLITION CONTROL APPLICATION DC09/16/H/ATP: http://www.kitchener.ca/Files/Item/i...ts-10-052_.pdf

[Urbanomicon]

You're talking about the currently empty parcel of land to the north-east of the Howe Drive circle?

Yeah, that's the one. I made a google map the has it highlighted, but I'm having some trouble getting it to show the highlighting.

Edit: Just took a screen shot.

[Spokes]

Ya that'd be a decent place for some added density, although traffic access might be a concern

[Shawn]

141 River Road

City of Kitchener

This property on the corner of River Road and Rosemount has stood vacant for years. It's being developed into 5 Units of Freehold Executive Townhouses. It's not a large development, but it seemed to happen with very little notice and is progressing along at a very quick pace of construction. They're being constructed by Will-O Homes.

Front viewed from River Road


Single Unit viewed from River Road


Rear and Side viewed from Rosemount

[Urban_Enthusiast86]

The Highland Marketplace is already starting construction, as is the first building in the Ira Needles Shopping Centre.