Baker District redevelopment
The Baker District redevelopment is a City of Guelph development project aimed at transforming the existing parking lot and properties fronting the north end of Wyndham Street into a unique mixed-use development.
The Downtown Secondary Plan envisions the Baker District redevelopment becoming a model of urban intensification that drives visitors to the downtown and encourages business to thrive within its boundaries by combining residential and commercial spaces.
The City has explored concepts for the site, formally endorsing the 2009 concept and 2014 concept.
The redevelopment will include:
- New central library (Guelph Public Library)
- Residential
- Commercial/institutional
- Public parking
- Urban square
Windmill Development Group is leading the planning, design and development for the Baker District project. The development team, led by Windmill, includes Diamond Schmidt Architects, DTAH, and Urban Equation Corporation. The companies, who have successfully worked together before, are working closely with the City and Guelph Public Library to arrive at a final plan for the development.
The Baker District redevelopment project is being developed as a One Planet Living community.
Have your say
As we move forward, there will be more opportunities for the community to participate in the development of the Baker District, both through the Guelph Public Library as it develops the new library space and programming, and the City as the Baker District design concepts are developed and refined.
Opportunities for engagement will be shared with the community via our social media channels, online, and in the City News pages of the Guelph Mercury Tribune.
CLOSED: Comment period has concluded for September 16, 2019 report to Council.
Who's listening
-
General Manager, Business Development & Enterprise Services | Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise, City of Guelph
Phone T 519-822-1260 x 3567 Email helen.loftin@guelph.ca -
Chief Executive Officer, Guelph Public Library
Phone 519 824 6220 x224 Email skraft@guelphpl.ca -
Windmill Development Group
Phone 416-929-5264 x 201 Email alex@windmilldevelopments.com -
Community Engagement Program Specialist, City of Guelph, Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services | Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
Phone 519-822-1260 x2679 Email kate.bishop@guelph.ca
I think it's appalling that there's even any suggestion, as raised recently by mayor Cam Guthrie, that Guelph council may need to reconsider the plans proposed for the new library. I encourage my Ward 5 councillors Leanne Piper and Cathy Downer to oppose any motions that would further delay or put at risk the development of the new library.
A larger, more inviting library is an important community hub for Guelph. Guelph needs to recognize that it is a city. Other services also need updgrading but libraries are so important for the cultural life of a city.
While I support more efficient use of space and a new library location, I strongly discourage the building of multiple high rise apartments, and especially condos. Watching what has happened in Kitchener and Toronto with the influx of over priced, small, poor quality condos, I do not want to see that happen in Guelph, while also ruining the downtown charm.
I support and use libraries daily, however with the trend moving from single central branches, towards more online offerings and smaller branches in more communities, especially with the benefits of inter-library loans, I have to wonder at the decision to make citizens pay a 1% property tax increase for the building, then another 1.8-2.3% for the operation of a huge library in a city the size of Guelph. This increase is extraordinary when rec centres are so few, and we have literary deserts.
I am thrilled that the public library space has been increased and looks to be ready to support our population for years to come.I am VERY concerned that the parking allotment has been reduced drastically. While I would love to live in a society where we don't all drive, that will not happen for years to come, especially in Guelph. If the downtown core is to remain vibrant and relevant to all those in Guelph, there must be more parking....the extra cost is worth it for sure!