More affordable housing units are coming to downtown Barrie.
Announced July 8 at the future 17 Sophia St. E. development site, the project will feature a 26-storey residential tower with 268 purpose-built rental units, including 54 affordable rental apartments, along with a five-storey above-ground parking structure.
Mayor Alex Nuttall, Ward 2 Coun. Craig Nixon and city officials joined representatives from Black Creek Group and Peakhill Capital to announce the development. The project has been rezoned and is awaiting site plan approval before construction can begin.
Nuttall said the project marks another step toward increasing Barrie’s housing supply and expanding affordable housing options.
“We need to build more homes, and we need to build more affordable homes, and that’s what we’re doing here today,” he said.
“This is another major step toward increasing housing supply in Barrie and giving more people the opportunity to find a place that they can afford.”
Nuttall added that the city has focused on easing residential development with quicker processing and more private contributions.
“We’ve made it a priority to remove barriers, to speed up approvals, to create conditions that encourage investment,” he said.
“When the private sector is ready to build, our job is to help that get underway, and that’s exactly what this announcement here represents.”
Nixon, whose ward includes the downtown, said adding more residents will strengthen the neighbourhood and help small business thrive.
“Ward 2 has always been the heart of Barrie. It’s where people come to live, work, enjoy our waterfront, support local businesses, and experience everything our city has to offer,” he said.
“As our downtown continues to grow, it’s important that we create opportunities for more people to call this neighbourhood home. Projects like this help strengthen the vibrancy of our downtown.”
Black Creek Group founder and managing partner Nicholas Francis said the development has overcome significant economic challenges throughout the planning process.
“Over the past four years, through major market turbulence, about every other obstacle that you could throw in front of a project, we’re here today to celebrate what’s going to be an amazing addition to the downtown Barrie community,” he said.
George Misik, vice-president of financing at Peakhill Capital, said Barrie continues to be an attractive community for investment.
“We continue to support its growth. Not only is it one of the places to grow designated by the Province of Ontario, but it is a wonderful place to be,” he said.
The announcement follows several other affordable housing projects approved in Barrie, including 38 units at 53 Coulter St., 31 units at 375 Yonge St. and 46 units at 52 Lakeside Terr.
