Gaslight project’s tall towers won’t impact heritage, report says

CAMBRIDGE — Two tall towers planned as part of the Gaslight District project won’t have a negative impact on the site’s heritage value, according to a heritage impact assessment report.

It’s a mixed-use project that’s to be an economic boon for downtown Galt.

Plans to redevelop the former foundryturned-outlet-mall at 64 Grand Ave. S. include commercial space, a public square and two residential towers at 20 and 21 storeys each.

They are double the allowed height in the area and raised alarm bells at a public meeting earlier this year. Many worried the towers will overshadow church spires that dot Galt’s skyline along the Grand River.

“The proposed development is not anticipated to detract from the significance of the site,” the heritage impact assessment report written by MHBC Planning says.

It also says the buildings won’t take away from nearby heritage assets like the river.

Scott Higgins, president of Hip Developments, said in an email the towers will be lowered slightly to 20 floors each with a four-storey parking podium at the bottom instead of five.

The final decision on the project remains with council. That is expected next month.

Stone buildings that date back to between 1860 and 1910 have been home to the Southworks Outlet Mall for 20 years. The foundry once manufactured engines, boilers and woodworking machinery and soon added fireproof safes and vaults to its offerings.

Babcock and Wilcox Company came into the picture around the 1920s. That was when the site became more commonly known as the “south works.” The “north works” was located at Water Street and Coronation Boulevard where it still operates today.

Most of old buildings will be kept, but Hip does plan to tear down a few.

The stone structure that faces Dunfield Theatre was once a carpenter, machine and pattern shop. It will be partially demolished. A former pig iron and coke shed will be completely demolished. A free-standing structure in the middle of the site was also proposed to be demolished. It is mostly in ruins and was once a storage room and washrooms. That might be used in the public square as a stage area or backdrop, Higgins said, adding that Hip values the site’s historic buildings.

“We plan to invest in them and showcase them as the main attraction of the project.”

Two other buildings, once the safe shop and machine shop, will be kept and reused.

The heritage assessment says the loss of heritage buildings is a negative impact. It suggests thoroughly documenting the buildings before they are torn down.

Although they are not designated heritage structures, Hip wants to designate the stone structures once renovations are done. According to city staff, the adaptive reuse and designation of the former foundry buildings will boost their cultural heritage value.