JASON SETNYK
A redevelopment proposal for the DevCentre site at 1950 Montreal Rd. is gaining momentum following a well-attended public open house, where residents gathered to learn more about the long-term vision and provide feedback ahead of an upcoming council meeting.
The project, led by Groupe Devcore, aims to transform the property into a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented community featuring housing, commercial space, institutional uses, and expanded access to the St. Lawrence River. Plans include multiple phases over several years, with the first phase focused on residential development.
Celeste Cordonnier, Director of Development for Groupe Devcore, said turnout exceeded expectations and reflected growing public interest. “There’s more people than expected. We’re happy with the turnover,” she said. “It’s generally positive comments, and people are mostly here to get information.”
Cordonnier noted a shift in public perception since earlier consultations. “I still love the change in the people’s attitude from 2023 until now. I’m glad that people can understand the vision and give feedback, and we can adapt over time with this feedback,” she said.
The open house was held in advance of a Planning Advisory and Hearing Committee meeting, where the project was formally presented. “We wanted people to come back here, get information, comments, and feedback, and then we’re going to meet again at the actual public meeting,” Cordonnier said.
The development could eventually include approximately 2,000 housing units, though that number remains flexible. Vice President of Construction Philippe Goulet said interest has shifted toward timelines and construction impacts. “People are more interested in when this will start and how long it will be under construction,” he said. “We’re about a year out if all goes well.”
Goulet added that feedback from previous consultations has already shaped the plan. “We did take the comments that we had last time and integrated most of those,” he said, pointing to reduced density near existing neighbourhoods and the removal of a proposed access point on Concorde Avenue to limit traffic.
Architect Anna Kourkounakis of BBB Architects said the scale of the project presents a rare opportunity to balance residential, commercial, and green space elements on a single site. “We’re trying to integrate as many pathways in which the community can use,” she said. “People who live in the new neighbourhood and adjacent neighbourhoods can wander through rather than walking along the roads.”
Plans also include the possibility of future waterfront access, though that component remains dependent on approvals from multiple jurisdictions, including conservation authorities. “We would like to open the waterfront to the public,” Cordonnier said. “But it will depend on the feasibility of the construction and all the permits that we have to obtain.”
Mayor Justin Towndale, who attended the open house, encouraged residents to stay engaged in the process. “Public consultation will play a big role in the development of this property,” he said. Towndale added that the project could help address housing demand while supporting economic growth. “We know we need housing. We know our vacancy rate is low still, and there’s still demand for housing in Cornwall,” he said. “As cities grow and they change, there’s always opportunities for more growth, more development.”
If approved, the first phase of construction could begin as early as 2027, marking the start of what developers describe as a multi-phase transformation of one of the city’s largest remaining redevelopment sites.
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