By Pepper Parr
November 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There is apparently some development movement in the east end of the city – Lakeside Plaza is said to be breathing and not dead; it was described as a “blight”by the ward councillor.
Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman
Lakeside Plaza in east end Burlington – might be getting a major refurbishment. Public being asked what they would like to see.
Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman told Council that after years of work the city is now talking to the owner of the property who, according to Sharman, is now interested in working with the city. He said they now “wished to develop” the area and come up with something “empathetic” to the community.
A number of years ago Burlington city council said it was very interested in working with the property owner but were not able to communicate with them.
Sharman is understood to have gone to the company’s office in Toronto but couldn’t get past the receptionist – an unusual experience for Sharman.
The Burlington Economic Development Corporation was heavily involved in getting the owners of the property to the table.
An architect has been working on very early preliminary drawings and the people trying hard to make something happen in the east end are going to meet with the public and perhaps do a show and tell.
There is a small single pad arena behind the plaza, buses turn around at the plaza and there is a large park as well.
The Burloak Park is yards away – which Sharman sees as the opportunity to create a stronger sense of place and community.
The public is going to be asked what it would like to see. Councillor Sharman expects a lot of people to show up which is why he has had to choose a location outside the ward for the public meeting which will take place Tuesday, November 24th at the Bateman High School cafeteria from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
The question will be, said Sharman, what would the public like to see? The Gazette will follow this development carefully.
All I can say is please don’t de-commercialize the place, especially the Food Basics.
Once the store is gone, it won’t come back easy – just check out Ward 1 and Aldershot.
From the comments here, something “empathetic” to the community will honor what’s there right now, and can add more.
Just not a fight for high density overpriced condos at the expense of everything and everyone else.
Go for it Councillor Sharman!
Nice to see some proactive leadership as being demonstrated by Councillor Sharman. This is a very interesting and challenging opportunity. I hope that Sharman’s hard work will bring some new life to city hall, promote a positive attitude towards renewal and inevitable change, and get people excited and engaged. Sharman should be applauded for his initiative and transparent efforts. This is great news.
The Food Basics is a necessity for the high rises in the area and should not be taken away. A majority of the customers of this store are elderly who live within walking distance and no longer drive. Refurbishment of the existing stores would be a good idea, especially the Tim Hortons. Once refurbished, other businesses would be enticed to lease the now empty stores. There are a lot of dog owners along the Lakeshore strip so a pet food store would be a boon. Maybe a yarn store for all the older ladies who knit and crochet. Maybe do a door to door to see what the residents of the area would prefer.
I am hoping that residential development and commercial development can be combined to meet both the needs of the residents (grocery store, drug store, etc) as well as residential – this will serve both the south east corner of Burlington and Oakvile – to meet the needs of the infill that Oakville has completed on the other side of Burloak
Councillor Sharman is headed in the correct direction
It’s a plaza that provides services for the local community. How is that blight? Getting rid of it means a longer drive for things like groceries, for example. Not very carbon friendly. What’s the alternative? Stuffing in overpriced super high density units. Just more overcrowding of Burlington?