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The largest redevelopment project in Waterloo Region is about to take place on an historic property within walking distance of the heart of Kitchener. And overall, that’s a very good thing.

The Schneiders property, where J.M. Schneider and his family built a meat packing empire, has been sold to Auburn Developments after sitting empty for three years — a relatively short period of time for 27.6 acres of property. Out of the 27.6 acres, 750,000 square feet is built on.

So now the big question is what will Kitchener’s meat-packing district look like ten or more years down the road?

Details are scarce so far. Reports indicate a mix of 150,000 square feet of commercial use is to be mixed with 2,000 residential units. Hopes of uncovering the portion of Schneider Creek buried on the property appear dim, as one building Auburn desires to keep prevents that from happening. The back end of the property is along the LRT line, making this portion rather accessible.

So I thought this was a good time to share some ideas for the property with Auburn before their planning gets too advanced. I encourage you to take this opportunity to make your voice heard, too.

I’m pleased to hear that there are plans for adaptive reuse of some of the buildings, and that they are looking at ways to mark the site’s heritage.

My big idea for the site is to build a large modern arena to be the new home of the Kitchener Rangers. Being on the LRT line and near the upcoming iXpress on Ottawa Street means that public transit becomes a viable alternative to driving and parking for such a major venue, while still convenient for driving, as it is close to the expressway. It also provides the city with a facility that can attract entertainment and trade shows that now bypass Waterloo Region for London and Hamilton, two cities that rival us with larger arenas.

I’m confident that a business case can also be made. It also allows for the Aud Complex to be sold by the city for a mixed use residential development suited to that site or perhaps the athletic facilities missing from our Canada Summer Games bid.

In terms of housing, I’m looking for a sizable portion to be affordable housing. This project is a great example of the need for inclusionary zoning that would require a certain portion of it to be affordable. Legislation to allow it was passed by Queen’s Park and became law on Dec. 8, 2016. Unfortunately, it may be too late for this and other recently announced projects, as the government is still in the process of drawing up the regulations our municipalities need to use this new power.

Still, I think it’s critical that our local governments push hard for affordable housing to be a part of the Schneiders property redevelopment. They must also work to have as many three and four bedroom units included so that families can live there.

Altogether, this property holds so much potential and it would be a huge loss to the Region to see that potential wasted.

2 responses to “WR and Howe: What is Schneiders’ Fate?”

  1. Chris Matlock Avatar
    Chris Matlock

    If, and a big if, there’s going to be a new arena then putting it on the Schneider’s property just moves the issue of noise/parking/location in a residential area from one side of King to the other. It also pushes it further from major road access. I would rather see the site developed the way the new owners proposed with high density mixed residential commercial.
    A possible location for a new arena (assuming the present site is not suitable for whatever reason) would be Fairview Park Mall. A good size 15,000 seat building could be placed between The Bay and Sears, Sears could then be turned into a 3 or 4 pad rink as well (if engineering allows it). This would put a large ice facility right on the LRT, major roads and expressway, close to the 401, close to hotels and suitable for large tournaments. With the bonus of mall shops and a food court steps away with other retail nearby it could be a much larger version of what Cambridge may end up with. In this location it takes traffic away from a residential area and makes it easier for Hamilton and London visitors to come for events. The LRT can also bring Guelph/Toronto people in from the GO train station. This could also be another catalyst to extend LRT into Cambridge and with two potential arenas with a medium and large capacity, plus extra ice pads and a third arena in Waterloo, then the region could lure larger international competitions.

    …or not.

  2. James Howe Avatar

    Thanks for your thoughts Chris! I’d see an arena as part of the high density mixed use development proposed rather than instead of it.

    Your idea for a major arena at the Fairview Park Mall is intriguing and you make some compelling arguments for it. However, I doubt the owners are ready to abandon it’s current use.Perhaps though the closure of Sears combined with the need for less parking thanks to the LRT, could open up the possibility of adding an arena to the site?

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