A busy corner in the heart of Le Village has received a fresh new look with the development of a new two-storey brick building.

Local couple Peter and Lynn Kenney are responsible for the ambitious $467,000 redevelopment project, which saw a dormant building demolished and a new one erected at the southwest corner of Montreal Road and Prince Arthur Street.

“We were driving by (the old building) on a Sunday afternoon and he (Peter) said we were going to own it,” said Lynn. “When he gets something in his head, he doesn’t let it go.”

Peter acted on his word and before long, the couple had purchased the old building from the previous owner.

“We really wanted to buy it. We were convinced it would be a good investment,” Lynn added.

At first, the couple were leaning towards renovating the old building, but they soon realized it would be more beneficial to rebuild from scratch. That kick started the process of demolishing the old structure to make way for a modern, new building.

The Kenney’s are now anxious to see who will take up residence in the new building, which features 1,260 square feet of open space on both floors. Each floor has its own separate heating and air conditioning systems, and there are parking spaces available at the rear of the building. The exterior features an attractive brick facade complete with an arched roofline – a French Canadian architectural style that is compatible with many other buildings in Le Village.

“It could be used for pretty much anything – lawyers and doctor’s offices, professional office space, restaurant or retail, you name it,” said Lynn, adding the space can easily be fit up for specific tenants.

The development has been warmly received by other business owners in Le Village.

“We’re thrilled to see this new development in the area,” said Dr. Michel Dubuc, President of Le Village Business Improvement Area (BIA). “This building will help to attract new businesses, jobs and customers to our commercial area.”

The Kenney’s received some assistance with their project through the City of Cornwall’s Heart of the City Community Improvement Plan (CIP). The Heart of the City CIP is designed to assist property owners in improving their properties by offering financial incentives such as grants and interest-free building restoration loans.

“The goal of the CIP is to make our commercial areas more vibrant and attractive, and this project certainly accomplishes that,” said Mayor Bob Kilger. “I’d like to congratulate the Kenney’s for completing this great project and making this significant investment in our community.”

Additional information on recent and ongoing development projects in Cornwall can be found on the ChooseCornwall.ca website.

For more information on the Kenneys’ new building, including leasing opportunities, please contact Jamie Cameron of RE/MAX Cornwall Realty at (613) 938-8100.