Montague makeover
Montague Economic Development Corporation looking for developer for $15-million redevelopment plan, which could be at least a year from breaking ground
The Montague Economic Development Corporation is looking for developers for the estimated $15-million development project that involves new residential and commercial units and green park space on Main Street overlooking the waterfront.
“We don’t just want an apartment block. That doesn’t achieve our wider objectives of making a development that benefits the community as well as residents,” said Les Warrington, chairman of the development corporation at Monday’s presentation of the development plan — Wharfside — at the Montague Rural Action Centre.
Warrington describes the mixed-use development as a village.
“It brings together people, businesses, artisans, community space. It’s very much a complete package,” he said.
The plan, which is intended to “invigorate the south side of the Montague River,” encompasses an area that includes Water Street and Main Street, as well as part of High Street and Mill Street.
The detailed plan involves 44 residential units spread out between three modern and stylish buildings beside the Garden of the Gulf Museum on Main Street. To make room for the new residential buildings, the proposal involves the Stewart & Beck Ltd. Home Hardware store on Main Street being torn down and the business relocating to land beside its Home Building Centre in Brudenell.
The project also involves green park space, a three-storey parking garage with 54 spaces on the corner of Hill Street and Mill Street and the commercial redevelopment of two historic vacant properties on Main Street — the Clark’s building and the Sir Isaac’s Restaurant and Mister Gabe’s Pub.
A pedestrian walkway from Main Street to the waterfront is also planned, as well as solar panels, on the residential building roofs and geothermal heating.
Warrington said the residential units would be best utilized as condominiums, but those details still needs to be worked out.
So far, the development corporation has met with Montague town council and the fire marshal to provide information on the project.
As well, a public consultation is planned for July.
The plan’s architecture concept and cost estimates were provided by the Charlottetownbased company Nine Yards Studio.
In terms of a timeline, Warrington said the project is ready for a developer now to provide more engineering and architectural drawings and take the plan to Montague town council for approval.
Warrington estimates it could take at least a year once a developer is found before the project breaks ground.
That timeline coincides with the one-year notice Stewart & Beck is looking for to facilitate its move to Brudenell.
Also attending the presentation were Mark and Melody Beck of Stewart & Beck — the third generation to run the family business since 1932, when it was started by their grandfather and his business partner as a grocery store.
Mark Beck stressed it is “business as usual” at the store for staff and customers, and that there is no deal in place to sell the land.
“The store’s not closing. This is a concept, and we’re supportive of the concept, and we would consider relocating to our land in Brudenell if the project were to go forward because it would be good for the town and we realize the site is very good,” he said.
“It would be terrific for the town. And, if it can happen, we think it would be great. We’re supportive of the project. And we can relocate to Brudenell because we do have the space to do it.”
Melody Beck agreed that it is business as usual at the store.
“If and when there is a developer that wants to do this project and it makes sense for us to sell it to them, from that time on, we need at least a year to get that new building constructed and stock physically moved,” she said.