Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Kenora has invested $1.6 million in construction and acquisition of a new road that will connect Ninth Street North to Main Street North on the former Abitibi Mill site.
Construction of the new road will begin this spring and is expected to be completed in late fall. The road has strategic importance to the city because it will enable residential development on two key lots at the former mill site (Lots 5 and 6). It will also provide the necessary sewer and water infrastructure required for the light industrial lots (Lots 3 and 4) adjacent to the road.
It is expected that five new apartment blocks which will include 172 apartment units will be built in the coming years on lots 5 and 6.
“Council and administration have been working hard over the last number of years to address the housing shortage that exists within Kenora,” said Mayor Andrew Poirier. “It is difficult for businesses to attract and retain staff under the current housing constraints and this project, along with some of the other housing projects will provide much needed relief to the housing shortages we are experiencing and enable stabilization and growth in Kenora moving forward.”
The road and civil construction will be undertaken by the current landowner, Manitoba Developer Marcel Chartier.
Engineering has been completed by local engineering firm LBE Group Inc. in conjunction with the City of Kenora engineering department. Road and related civil infrastructure construction will be done by KENON Builders Inc., also from Kenora.
The road and civil infrastructure will be acquired by the city following construction and a two-year maintenance period.
“This is a significant project for our community and one that will have long reaching effects for development in the city,” said Poirier. “Partnerships and investment in this project have been extensive and the public will see a great deal of change in the former mill site area over the next two to three years.”
