DOWNTOWN IS HEART AND SOUL ACCORDING TO REPORT

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Downtown is heart and soul: report
Author: Laurie Watt, STAFF
Date: Mar 16, 2010
BARRIE - The city is taking another look at what downtown Barrie could be.

With a polished prospectus in hand, economic development director Hany Kirolos talks about how ready the city is to encourage investment – particularly a hotel/convention centre and a major grocery store housed in a complex that includes residential and/or office space.

Unfortunately, this is the third time the city has gone back to the drawing board to revive what Barrie is calling the “heart and soul of our city.”

“The Patty Xenos design set out in 2006 is still very much alive. We have a financial district and are working on the theatre/entertainment side,” said Kirolos.

“What is downtown’s brand? We need to develop that, and the Xenos vision outlined that, by showing the interplay between elements and (creating) an experience.”

Known for her work with IntraWest developments, the Montreal-based commercial master planner suggested Barrie encourage districts – including a business/professional one along Collier Street, entertainment area Dunlop West, and an artistic walk on Mulcaster Street. Her $350,000 vision suggested a promenade along the waterfront, and a public plaza area, to create a hub of activity in Memorial Square.

Barrie has been encouraging investment – with 2006 plans for both the Scotiabank and TD centre now in full bloom. Barrie also converted the old Scotiabank into a theatre, which anchors the entertainment district at the Five Points.

Other than that, there’s little to see, at least above ground, Kirolos said.

Two of the Five Points are vacant, razed by fire. One corner featured a chip wagon last summer, the other a sausage vendor. Five Points is supposed to be the confluence of energetic districts that would attract people and investment. However, the reality is an old hotel, a coffee shop, and the city’s makeshift small theatre.

“What develops there is vital to the city as well as to the (properties) in the area,” said Kirolos.

“I’d like to see anything that would reinforce a sense of vitality. It could be an office tower or an educational facility, something sustainable that would drive traffic.

“City Hall can’t pull this off alone. We have to partner with the province,” Kirolos said.

“We will lead, facilitate and support the discussions with the local private sector, and get property owners to the table.”

Because it has little control, Barrie is instead working on an incentive program to fill those vacant sites with benches and flowers, and possibly, public art.

Barrie is also trying to encourage landowners and developers to come to the table with ideas.

“At the end of the day, the city is trying to deliver on a plan – and that plan is vital to the overall integrity of intensification and vision for downtown,” said Kirolos.

Vacant lots abound. A minute-walk away, there’s the parking lot where the city envisions a convention centre. A five-minute walk away, at the financial and artistic corner is the parking lot and Foodland (formerly IGA) site, where the city wants to see a more up-to-date food store housed in an office/residential complex.

Barrie’s RFP for the site describes an “old market square area,” that would attract tourists and better serve the growing downtown community and envisions retail, offices, a private club, bank, as well as residential uses.

“We’re taking the initiative to position ourselves in Ontario as Ontario’s top investment ready city,” said Kirolos. “The world can change on a dime, more than ever before,” he said, especially economically, with the boom time followed by a sudden drastic downturn, moving into a recovery phase. One day, investors will be ready and eager.

“We have to be ready for it.”