Category: News 2021

On-Demand Transit Trial to Start

John Draper

Last August Judy Smith made a presentation to Council suggesting that instead of using large buses on a fixed route that small buses should be used on a route that dynamically responds to actual passenger needs.  The idea of “Micro-Transit” or “On-Demand” was accepted by Council and money was approved in the 2021 budget. At Monday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting, Council approved paying the current transit operator – Century Transportation – to conduct a trial using current large buses. One feature is that instead of having two services – one regular and a “Wheels” service for passengers with disabilities – there would be one service for all. The trial will start April 19 using Century buses and Rideco Software… Read complete articleOn-Demand Transit Trial to Start

New Employer Coming to Lucas Point

John Draper

A company called Audcomp is an IT company that also invests in Real Estate and they have offered to buy about 3 acres of land in Lucas Point Industrial Park at the north west corner of Dodge and Thompson Streets for $40,000 per acre.  Their offer was accepted by Cobourg Council at their C.O.W. meeting on Monday night, 29 March (subject to ratification at their regular Council meeting next week – Update:  It was ratified).   Audcomp plan to construct a building of approximately 8,000 ft2 to 14,000 ft2 to accommodate their tenant, Davey Tree of Canada who plan a National Distribution/Logistics Centre for their Canadian operations.   They are a US based company and plan more than 50 new local jobs… Read complete articleNew Employer Coming to Lucas Point

Should West Headland be a Nature Park?

John Draper

In late 2019,  Richard Pope and Margaret Bain of the Willow Beach Field Naturalists made presentations to four Advisory committees, to Council and to the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) suggesting that a Natural Park should be declared that encompassed the West Harbour, the West Beach, the West Headland and the Ecology Garden.  After a report by Director Dean Hustwick provided in March 2020, the idea was turned down by Council.  Dean’s report said that the area is currently identified as a “Landmark Park (under the name Marina Park)” which should “enhance tourism and economic development” and “accommodate increased commercial use” with a primary function as support for “tourism, festivals and large gatherings” [See below for definition of Landmark Parks… Read complete articleShould West Headland be a Nature Park?

Two Developments Progressing

John Draper

Both the Cobourg Creek Lofts and the Rondeau development look like they will actually happen.  The Cobourg Creek property is at 415 King West on the corner of Tremaine Street.  They plan to take the building previously used by the local daily newspaper (Northumberland Today or Cobourg Star) and convert it into 26 rental apartments.  They are not specifically “affordable housing” but will add to the rental pool.  Rondeau are moving ahead with their major project in Cobourg’s North East: the Villages of Central Park – near the corner of Brook and Elgin.  They recently got permission to remove some trees so they could do some earth moving and now they are asking permission to build a fairly large but… Read complete articleTwo Developments Progressing

What’s Happening in Cobourg

John Draper

If the question is “what is there by way of entertainment in Cobourg”, the answer is “not much”.  It’s not zero although some of it – but not all – is virtual.  Way back when things were normal, the Victoria Hall Box Office had a whole collection of shows to book with venues such as the Concert Hall, the Loft, the United Church, the Firehall theatre and more.  Victoria Hall and the Box office are now closed – possibly for all of 2021.  However, the Loft is now operating albeit with fewer live shows.  A web site dedicated to Cobourg entertainment (Cobourg Calendar) was full of events – but most of these are now labelled “cancelled”.  There were also dinner… Read complete articleWhat’s Happening in Cobourg

Update on FSD Pharma and Kraft Building

John Draper

The company that bought the old Kraft building had big plans at first.  They wanted to be the biggest grower of Marijuana plants in Canada and they floated their shares under the ticker HUGE.  But in July 2020, they announced that they would be giving up on that idea and selling their Cobourg facility with an asking price of $19M.  They moved out and are now based in Toronto.  Work is now focused on developing medications and when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, they aimed at using Cannabis compounds for its treatment.  Their latest announcement is that they have a licence agreement with an Italian company to “develop U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved veterinary drugs for the treatment of… Read complete articleUpdate on FSD Pharma and Kraft Building

First Cannabis Store opens in Cobourg

John Draper

In January 2019, Cobourg Council decided to allow Cannabis stores in the Town and now the first one has opened at 38 King Street West.  The three owners already have a store in Kingston and they plan one in Campbellford. There are three others waiting to be approved – two downtown and one on Strathy Road.  If there are any others, they have not officially applied for a licence.  See the list below. Two of the other store applicants also have multiple stores and web sites.  Given the approx. eight existing stores in Roseneath, it’s not clear if there will be enough business for all stores to operate or even if the other applicants will actually open.  But Mary J’s… Read complete articleFirst Cannabis Store opens in Cobourg

Progress with Queen Street Condo Development

John Draper

In June 2018, Council agreed to sell the parking lot on the corner of Queen and McGill (opposite the Post office) to a developer.  One condition was that the developer include at least 64 parking spaces for public use which would replace those currently on the lot.  The development would also use the land of the adjacent old run-down curling building at 22 Queen Street.  At tonight’s Council meeting, Richard Tseng (with Virginia Lam) from EIE Corporation presented more details and asked for an amendment of zoning rules.  Given that it’s been almost three years, we could be forgiven for thinking that the project had died, but apparently not.  It will be impressive at 5 storeys with rooftop gardens.  At… Read complete articleProgress with Queen Street Condo Development