Developer will help pay for new Forks Road Bridge in Welland
November 2, 2020
Developer will help pay for new Forks Road Bridge in Welland
Empire Communities will put at least $10 million toward a new bridge at Forks Road over Welland Recreational Canal at Dain City. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR
Empire Communities will contribute to building a new bridge over Welland Recreational Canal in Dain City, city council heard recently.
That’s good news for residents in the area and Niagara, said Ward 6 councillors Bonnie Fokkens and Jim Larouche.
The contribution, estimated to be at least $10 million, was part of a memorandum of understanding reached between the developer and City of Welland.
Empire is looking to build up to 1,405 news homes off Forks Road East between the Welland Canal and a rail line that borders the east side of the former John Deere property.
Up to 1,000 homes could be built on the former John Deere property, land owned by Empire as well.
Under Welland’s community improvement and financial incentive programs, Empire will see breaks through the brownfields tax assistance program for the remediation and redevelopment of the proposed eligible lands.
It will also see incentives through the brownfields tax increment grant program, not to exceed $10 million per property; building permit reductions to a maximum of $2 million in aggregate for both properties; and development charges reductions to a maximum of $4 million in aggregate for both properties.
There are also municipal capital facilities agreements, which will see Empire construct a new outdoor multi-use sports facility and other recreational amenities at Welland International Flatwater Centre. The company will continue $100,000 to the city’s canal walkway plan and agreed to provide $500,000 for the naming rights of the new facility it will build.
As part of the agreement, Empire Communities will design and construct the replacement of the Forks Road Bridge, and design and build the urbanization of Forks Road, from the Kingsway its eastern limit.
Fokkens said with the savings under the various incentives available to Empire it was a good negotiation for both parties.
Larouche said it was a positive development for the city and Dain City, which has been without a bridge since the former Forks Road Bridge was declared unsafe in 2018 and later demolished.
When Empire first proposed the two developments, it said a new bridge was not crucial to its plans.
Fokkens said it was a bit of a surprise to her the company agreed to chip in for a new bridge, expected to cost anywhere between $15 and $17 million.
The city has $5 million in provincial and federal funding set aside for the project.
“I’m pleased that they have agreed to provide the additional funding to complete the crossing,” she said.
Larouche wasn’t too surprised by the move Empire made during negotiations.
“Staff knew the bridge was important to the city and felt Empire would want to fulfil its commitment to the community,” he said.
Under the agreement, the bridge replacement will start when all necessary environmental approvals are in hand, no later than 18 months after starting construction, and no later than when 750 occupancy permits granted for the development or Oct. 31, 2026.
“Which means they could start in 18 months. I would like to see it completed within two years after federal and provincial approvals are received,” Fokkens said.
Larouche believes construction would start as soon as the environment approvals are in place.
He said it’s a good deal for the city and residents.
“Empire is essentially covering off perhaps $10 million of what would otherwise be the city’s responsibility.”
The Forks Road Bridge carried thousands of vehicles a day from across Niagara and served as an access point for Dain City residents to places like Port Colborne and Wainfleet.
Fokkens, too, believes the memorandum of understanding is a good deal.
“Empire is paying for replacing a bridge — that the city is responsible for — and for providing other facilities for the citizens of Welland. In return, Empire is receiving incentives. Down the road, this build will provide additional tax revenue,” she said.
Fokkens said Dain City residents are hopeful a new bridge will be complete before 2026.
“No doubt this is one of the more significant community developments in Welland’s history. The redevelopment/replacement of the bridge is not only important to the residents of Dain City, but it’s also important for the entire community as well with our neighbours to the south in Port Colborne and the west in Wainfleet,” said Larouche.
