As 2019 comes to a close, the City of Owen Sound is pleased to report a highly productive year of building and development across the City.

As of December 16th, the City’s Building Division had issued 312 building permits, amounting to $46,752,247.00 in construction value during 2019. This amount equates to almost double the average annual construction value the City has experienced over the past 20 years.

Some of the high-value building permits issued throughout 2019 include:

1. ‘Townplace Suites’ by Marriott: A new 6-story hotel and commercial building located at 1200 16th Avenue East, valued at $13,000,000.00;

2. ‘Georgian Landing,’ a new, 39-unit apartment building located at 297 18th Street East, valued at $9,000.000.00;

3. Renovation of the previous Strathcona school at 1185 4th Avenue East, to create 68 rental apartment units, valued at $3,500,000.00;

4. ‘Sound Lifestyles’: Ten new townhouse units at 2380 9th Avenue East, valued at $1,990,000.00;

5. Eight new townhouse units at 1832 7th Avenue East, valued at $1,500.000.00;

6. A new Esso gas station, convenience store and drive-thru restaurant at the corner of Alpha Street and 10th Street West, valued at $600,000.00;

7. Interior renovations to manufacture and process cannabis at 1875 16th Avenue East, valued at $3,000,000.00;

8. Various renovations at the Owen Sound Hospital, including renovations to create a new MRI facility, valued at $1,825,000.00;

9. Expansion and renovation of various childcare facilities around the City.

The above numbers highlight a well-rounded year for development in the City, with development dollars being invested into a variety of industries, including commercial, industrial, institutional and residential construction. These projects will provide new employment and career opportunities for local companies and residents, both during construction and upon completion.

The City has seen significant advancement in the residential sector this year. Throughout 2019, building permits were issued for 145 new residential units, including 9 new single-residential dwellings, 18 townhouses and 118 multi-residential (apartment) dwellings. Between 2010 and 2018, the City issued permits for an average of 43 new units per year. The 2019 numbers therefore indicate an increase of 3.5 times the annual average over the past 9 years.

The outlook for 2020 remains positive. At present, the City is undertaking a Site Plan review process for a new, 160-bed long-term care facility to be developed by Southbridge Health Care LP; three draft-plan approved residential subdivisions, including Redhawk, Bremont and Andpet that would collectively permit approximately 1000 new mixed-residential units on the east side of the City; as well as Site Plan review to allow for the completion of the Heritage Grove commercial property, which seeks approval for a 75-room hotel, gas bar and a number of new restaurants.

source: media release, City of Owen Sound