Sarnia, Ontario

owned land, and has been in decline for several years. Season’s Retirement Communities is in the process of acquiring the site and has ambitious plans to repurpose the mall space and also build two residential towers – one oriented towards both independent seniors and the general public market, and the other as independent supportive living and memory care suites for seniors. According to Tammie Ryall, Acting Director of Community Development Services and Standards and Manager of Planning, “Seasons is still in the process of negotiating contracts with current lease holders. Completion of this project will transform the form and function of the main street, and reopen a pedestrian link to the waterfront. We are excited that this project is moving forward.” Also on the City’s agenda is Mitton Street Village, a small community just southeast of downtown that has fallen on hard times. The former hospital had anchored one end of that village and an older high school that’s being surplused anchored the other end. The City is trying to decide just how to best rejuvenate that neighborhood, and how to provide adequate and needed housing for its residents, as well as good opportunities for investment. “The committee is actively meeting,” says Ryall. “They’ve done some outreach sessions; they’ve had a community event and we got some good feedback from the community and, right now, the committee is looking at improving the street furniture in the area, improving a local park, and also considering a Community Improvement Plan for the area. So, that is ongoing, as well.” Finally, Sarnia’s local airport, the Chris Hadfield Airport, is getting upgrades from the federal government – almost $600,000 in funding that includes the rehabilitation of the taxiway by grinding down the existing surface and replacing it with a hundred millimeters of new asphalt. And so, Sarnia, Ontario continues to move forward with new ideas, new industries, and new projects for the benefit of its citizens. PREFERRED VENDORS n Cohen Highley LLP Lawyers www.cohenhigley.com n MJ Waste Solutions www.mjwastesolutions.ca