Orillia, Ontario

final phase of that reconstruction, which is about $9.5 million in scope. “That’s a full road reconstruction,” Sugden adds. “Improved water/ sewer infrastructure, and some relocation of a major trunk sewer, which is intended, by design, to free up future development opportunities in the surrounding neighborhood. Plans have also been approved to alter the streetscape in that area by sacrificing a vehicular lane to improve the pedestrian environment. What we’ve learned through COVID is that it’s more important than ever that people have space to move around each other safely. The wider sidewalks and smarter streetscape are helping to future-proof us for that type of thing.” These infrastructure improvements help set the stage for future opportunities, such as the redevelopment of the municipally-owned lands at 70 Front St. N. which are being sold through a Request for Proposal process to help transform the area and better connect the downtown with the waterfront. The City has also launched General Manager of Development Services and Engineering, Ian Sugden