Bernadette Clement says East End needs more development

Dear Seeker,

There has been much change in the last few years to some of the City’s important areas. Brookdale has become a busier and more attractive boulevard. The new entry point to the city from the low level bridge, as well as the new Benson Centre have been of great benefit to that part Cornwall. Things are promising there.

But the East end of the city also requires some attention. The former Courtaulds lands carry a long history of hard work and commercial success, like the former Domtar lands, and they are a perfect spot for renewal. The city needs that area to once again be the source of investment and activity, while becoming a more dynamic part of the City.

The challenge is that the lands are privately owned and so the development is largely in the hands of private developers. This does not mean that a City Council must sit back and do nothing but hope for the best. This is not effective. We need to meet regularly with the private sector owners, and communicate our community’s interest in those lands, and talk about the hope we have for what can become once again a vibrant and successful part of our city. We need to give this area more attention in order to encourage development.

-Bernadette Clement