38 Cowdy Street: Recap from Sept. 15 Council Meeting

At the Council meeting this week, the following clarifications were made regarding the next steps for the 38 Cowdy Street property.

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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.

There will be a fence around the site for the demolition. Following demolition, there will be work completed to reestablish the grass on the site. Once grass has been successfully reestablished, fencing will be removed from a portion of the site. It is anticipated this will be in Spring 2027.

Should Council direction include the sale of a portion of the property the revenue generated will go back to the Parkland Reserve Fund and will go towards the redevelopment of the Frontenac Parkette.

Staff intend to continue the community engagement process in Spring 2027. Additional time will allow staff to further evaluate redevelopment opportunities, undertake additional technical analysis, and continue engagement before returning to Council with recommendations regarding the future development of the site. Staff will take feedback received through prior engagement into consideration in future engagement opportunities and recommendations to Council, including the possibility of no housing.

Staff will follow the standard park engagement processes for the redevelopment of the Frontenac Parkette when the redevelopment process begins following direction on the future of the site.