38 Cowdy Street

Ongoing Engagement

Upcoming community meeting dates are posted on the right side of this page, under Key Dates. Questions can be shared using the question tool below. Staff will aggregate questions by theme and respond through the frequently asked questions section of this project page.

Meeting notes, presentations, council reports and news releases will be shared through the links and related documents section of this project page.

Future Use

Short‑Term Use After Shelter Closure

  • Following wind-down of emergency shelter services at 38 Cowdy Street, the building has been closed to the public.
  • On March 24, 2026, Council approved a short‑term

Ongoing Engagement

Upcoming community meeting dates are posted on the right side of this page, under Key Dates. Questions can be shared using the question tool below. Staff will aggregate questions by theme and respond through the frequently asked questions section of this project page.

Meeting notes, presentations, council reports and news releases will be shared through the links and related documents section of this project page.

Future Use

Short‑Term Use After Shelter Closure

  • Following wind-down of emergency shelter services at 38 Cowdy Street, the building has been closed to the public.
  • On March 24, 2026, Council approved a short‑term (up to 6 months) lease with Lionhearts Inc. to allow vocational laundry services to continue temporarily while they transition to a new location. The vocational laundry provides laundry services for local shelters and does not serve individuals.
  • During this time, the full site — including Frontenac Parkette — remains closed.

Planned Redevelopment of the Site

Based on building condition, safety considerations, and community feedback, staff are recommending that Council reaffirm the original long‑term vision for the property:

  • Demolish the former school building (planned for Q4 2026).
  • Expand Frontenac Parkette, creating a larger neighbourhood park.
  • Sever and sell a small portion of the property along Cowdy Street for future residential development.
  • Reinvest all proceeds from the housing land sale into park development.

  • Ask a question

    Questions about the shelter can be shared here. Staff will aggregate questions by theme and respond through the frequently asked questions section of this project page.

    Ask a question
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded. If you have additional questions, please contact GetInvolvedKingston@cityofkingston.ca

    Comments on proposed Housing & Parkland at 38 Cowdy St

    At the Community meeting, City staff heard many comments and perspectives from residents regarding the concept of parkland and market housing.  

    Concerns raised during the meeting included: 

    • The amount of space allocated to housing 

    • Lot size 

    • Types of housing (Market, affordable, assisted) 

    • Who would reside in the housing 

    • The capacity of infrastructure to support additional housing 

    • The Street on which housing would be located  

    The intention of this closed comment section is to provide an opportunity for community members who were unable to attend the community meeting or for those that attended but were unable to provide feedback during the meeting to share their input anonymously. For a description of the proposed future of the 38 Cowdy Street site, see the slideshow posted to the News & updates tab 

    If you need an alternate format for this survey, please call 613-546-000 or email GetInvolvedKingston@Cityofkingston.ca

    Feedback will remain open until January 14, 2026. 

    All comments will be summarized and shared to Get Involved Kingston. This feedback will be used to inform future engagement events on potential opportunities for lot sizes, location of housing, parkland size, and other considerations.

    Notice of Collection

    All information received will be compiled and considered by staff for use under the purposes of this site. Information will be collected and used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other relevant privacy legislation. All comments made on this site are available to the public and may form part of public records. 

    The City will give written notice in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to affected persons before granting a request for access to a record created through this survey if it includes personal information that the City has reason to believe might constitute an unjustified invasion of personal privacy. 

    Learn more about the City’s accountability and transparency responsibilities. 

    Get Involved Kingston Account

    In order leave a comment, you will need to be logged into your Get Involved Kingston account. If you do not have an account you can sign up for one, it’s free and takes less than five minutes. The requirement for an account protects the integrity of the survey process and allows you to receive updates on how the feedback is used.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    How would you like to stay engaged?

    As we move forward winding down shelter services please let us know how you would like to stay engaged. 

    This survey closes July 31, 2025 at 4 p.m. Request an alternate copy of the survey or submit your feedback by calling 613-546-0000 or emailing GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca. 

    Notice of Collection: All information received will be compiled and considered by staff for use under the purposes of this site. Information will be collected and used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other relevant privacy legislation. All comments made on this site are available to the public and may form part of public records.

Page last updated: 05 Jun 2026, 02:33 PM