38 Cowdy Street – Project Update
Hello community members,
An update on 38 Cowdy Street is available in the Sept 15. Council meeting package released today. An executive summary is copied below. Please read the full report in the agenda package:
Please reach out if you have any questions or issues accessing materials.
Best,
The 38 Cowdy Street Project Team
Executive Summary
The property municipally known as 38 Cowdy Street was acquired by the City in 2023 with the long-term intent of demolishing the former school building and expanding the adjacent Frontenac Park, with potential consideration for housing along the Cowdy Street frontage. From January 2023 to March 2026 the site was home to Adelaide Street Shelter, a temporary emergency homeless shelter, in operation while additional emergency shelter and supportive housing capacity was developed at other locations. Following the closure of the shelter operations in March 2026, and the planned September 2026 relocation of the Lionhearts vocational laundry program to 315 Queen Mary Road, the site is transitioning to its next phase of redevelopment.
Through Council Report Number 26-081, Council directed staff to undertake planning work to identify options for future residential redevelopment along the Cowdy Street frontage while balancing opportunities to expand Frontenac Parkette and report back by the end of Q3 2026. Report to Council September 15, 2026 Report Number 26-195 Page 2 of 8 Since that direction, staff have undertaken community engagement where four conceptual redevelopment options were presented and have continued with technical analysis of the site.
Feedback received through the engagement process demonstrated strong community interest in the future of the property. While some participants expressed opposition to residential development and a preference for expanding parkland, others indicated support for housing that contributes to affordability objectives.
As future development concepts continue to be explored, staff are proceeding with retaining a contractor to demolish the former school building following the relocation of the Lionhearts vocational laundry program expected to occur by September 30, 2026. The demolition work will occur in the fall of 2026 and includes the removal of the former school building and underground structures, disconnection of municipal services, and restoration of the site to a safe interim condition.
Staff will continue to advance planning, technical analysis, and community engagement activities and will return to Council in Spring 2027 with recommendations regarding the long term redevelopment of the site.
