‘A good day’: Demolition begins on south Oshawa development
Project expected to bring 5K new homes to First Avenue By Moya Dillon Oshawa This Week
South Oshawa is getting a makeover, and a new First Avenue development will be a big part of it.
Officials were on-site March 30, at the former PPG Glass plant on First Avenue, to witness the ongoing demolition at the site, which will become home to a new planned community by First Avenue Investments.
“It’s amazing because this is going to transform into thousands of new people and a new village,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “It’s a good day.”
Demolition of the 425,000-square-foot plant began in February, and officials expect construction to being in the next 12 to 18 months. A planning application for the project is expected to be submitted in April.
“We have invested in Oshawa because we believe in the city’s vision and inclusivity,” said Andres Valenzuela, signing officer at First Avenue Investments. “Our proposed development will help advance and transform Oshawa from its industrial past into a new, vibrant community.”
The planned community will span from the border of the former Knob Hill Farms property south to the 401 between Front and Howard streets. Plans for the community include an urban park, central pedestrian promenade and mixed-use highrise development with up to 5,000 residential units combined with ground-floor retail and services.
The lot is also adjacent to the planned future GO station, which will be supported by a new Highway 401 interchange at Simcoe Street.
“The phased development will be supported by the upcoming Central Oshawa GO Transit station and a new interchange at Simcoe Street and Highway 401, major regional connectivity that will stimulate future opportunities for community investment,” added Valenzuela.
“We want to bring life to this area of town that’s been neglected for years.”
Carter said the development is a welcome addition to the area, and a sign of things to come. “This really sets out where Oshawa is going,” he said.
“This site and its significance to the community is the start of another chapter. A lot of people are going, ‘what’s going on in Oshawa?’ We have thousands of jobs being created, we have a pipeline of skilled workers from our universities and colleges directly into the skilled trades, and Oshawa is really playing a significant role in driving and diversifying our economy. It’s a really important moment for our city.”