Another step in the process to get more affordable housing in Bradford was taken on Tuesday morning.
During Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, County of Simcoe council voted to recommend supporting transferring ownership of 2.2 acres at 125 Simcoe Road from the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury to the County of Simcoe, for the purpose of building affordable housing on the site.
Councillors also got a brief glimpse at what the development could look like. The 50-unit development would be comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with commercial space filling the main floor, to be filled with social services tenants.
According to preliminary costing estimates, the development is expected to cost about $26 million.
“I am very happy to see this report come before county council,” said Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Rob Keffer. “I think it’s an excellent location for affordable housing, and is within one kilometre of our GO Train Station.”
“We hope to have a town hall built right next door to this location as well as other recreation and meeting facilities. I would just like to say I was happy with the 50 units. We need affordable housing all over the county. We look forward to moving forward with this development,” he said.
The town has been in talks with the county since 2016 about the delivery of an affordable housing project. In 2016, the county issued a Call For Proposals, where municipalities had the opportunity to submit proposals for a collaboration with the county to develop affordable housing projects.
Bradford West Gwillimbury identified the need for more affordable housing in its strategic plan, and proposed four different properties for the county's consideration. Through ongoing talks with the County of Simcoe, it was determined that 125 Simcoe Road would be the ideal location for a new build.
At last week's council meeting in Bradford, council approved the donation of the land, subject to county council's approval of an affordable housing project on the site.
The town owns a total of 17.5 acres (43.2 ha.) at 125 Simcoe Road, the site of the Bradford & District Memorial Community Centre and Centennial Park. Currently, 125 Simcoe Road is generally comprised of a community centre, parking lots, curling club (on a privately owned parcel), and sports fields.
Once ownership of the land has been transferred over and council gives final approval, staff will proceed with preliminary and schematic design and costing for the project, so the project will be shovel-ready should additional federal or provincial funding be made available.
The decision will need to be ratified at the next meeting of council on Nov. 10.
- with files from Natasha Philpott
