Public consultation on the future Collingwood Terminals Point project has started with a return to the past.
On March 19, the town’s project manager Adam Gallant provided a presentation on the past, present and potential future of Terminals Point at the Simcoe Street Theatre. Gallant is leading public consultation for the town on a development proposal for the site that would see the Terminals converted into a 10-floor hotel and 24-floor condominium building. As a first step of an expectedly lengthy public consultation process, Gallant has been touring the presentation to any local groups who are interested.
“We’re here because I need to figure out a plan,” Gallant told attendees. “Once the agreements are ready, they need to be sent to council for consideration and, if approved, the work will continue.”
“I want to be out there, meeting with people. If you’re here tonight from an organization and would like me to come to one of your meetings...please reach out,” he said.
Gallant’s presentation started with an in-depth review of the history of the grain terminals in Collingwood with accompanying photos from the Collingwood Museum’s collection. The Collingwood Grain Terminals as they stand were constructed in 1929 by Collingwood Terminals Limited and feature 52-grain silos. The two-million-bushel elevator has 100-foot bins that have diameters of 22 feet.
The structure was built in 13 days by 40 labourers, with concrete mixed by hand and poured on-site. The structure stands 111 feet to the top of the silos.
Grain services ceased operation in 1993, with the Town of Collingwood purchasing the site in 1997.
Over the years the Terminals have deteriorated, and in 2020 the town first put out a request for qualifications and a request for proposals to fix up and re-purpose the building. Six developers put forward their qualifications, and three of those six were invited to put forward a proposal.
The Terminals Point plans were first presented to the public in March 2023 by the town’s chosen developer Streetcar Developments Inc. and Dream Unlimited Corporation. Their plans include building a 10-floor hotel out of the grain silos portion of the building. The spaces between the silos will be replaced with windows. The ground-floor plans include a restaurant and cafés, an activity rental shop, and cultural and community spaces.
Typical hotel floors (planned to fill floors two to nine), will include single silo rooms (450 square feet) and double silo rooms (900 square feet).
The 10th and top floor will be built as one large space on top of the existing terminals structure to be called “The Bin Floor,” housing a bar and restaurant, outdoor terraces, event spaces, a fitness facility and a wellness centre.
On the east side of the building connected to the Terminals will be a 24-storey (from ground to top) residential condominium tower.
Also included in the plans is the redevelopment of the spit, Millennium Park and the area surrounding the Terminals to create more public recreation options, which include trails, rock climbing, ziplining and a roof walk.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the project was finalized and signed by the town and the developers in June, however, it is not legally binding.
During discussion, attendees raised concerns about parking, the preservation of public spaces, the blocking of waterfront views by the condo tower and car access to Millennium Park. Gallant took the feedback and said he looks forward to addressing all concerns moving forward.
“The work to get us to this point has spanned multiple years, time and money....and relied on public consultation,” said Gallant. “The current state right now is we’re still negotiating agreements based on the MOU. They need to be sent to council for consideration, and the rest of the development work follows.”
“There’s more to come.”
During his presentation, Gallant said he’s ramping up to more public consultation in 2024 and beyond on the Terminals Point project, and is happy to bring his presentation to any local group or organization that requests it. The town is also planning additional dates for the presentation, to be announced at a later time.
Gallant can be reached via email at [email protected].
For more information on the Terminals Point project, visit the town’s Engage Collingwood page here.
