Welland in the News

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

image of a glass with ice

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.

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