Public gets sneak preview of ‘game changing’ Burlington development plan

A Burlington development plan that has been called “game-changing” and “redefining” will be presented to the public this week,

The project, going by the name of 1200 King Road, is a sweeping proposal that calls for a hockey arena/concert venue, college campus, stores and plenty of housing on a piece of land nestled between Hwy. 403 and the train tracks adjacent to the Aldershot GO Station.

If it comes to fruition, 1200 King Road is meant to become a new destination point for Burlington residents to live, work and play, with some calling it “a second downtown” that will provide a modern take on suburban living.

A public open house and drop-in session designed to explain the project will take place Wednesday, June 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Crossroads Unity Commons, 1295 North Service Road.

Proposed by Alinea Land Corporation which is partnering with the City of Burlington, the project looks to use a property that has been left dormant for several years and is considered a prime location to build.

“This project could redefine what Burlington is all about,” a planner familiar with the project told inhalton.com. “Imagine an arena large enough to house an OHL (Ontario Hockey League) team that can be converted to a concert venue for touring acts. We’ve never had that in our own backyard. It could redefine the type of city we are. The location is good, lots of needed housing will be there. It’s pretty hard not to like.”

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While the main goal of the project is to increase the city’s housing stock through multiple condo towers, the excitement level has been raised due to the additional amenities proposed.

The 5,000-seat arena would be suitable for events such as hockey, monster truck rallies or wrestling. When converted into an event centre, the site could be filled with 7,000 patrons to attend a concert.

A community centre, park and nature trails are also planned as is a large shopping district.

Another selling point is the desire to attract a college or university campus to the site.

Tieing it all together is the proximity to the Aldershot GO Station and Hwy. 403 which planners say makes for an easier commute.

“While there have been no approvals for any of the concepts by the city, we have been asked by the city to meet with our neighbours to present our current draft proposals and to ask for your insights and advice,” notes Alinea on a website dedicated to the project.

And, before shovels start digging into the ground the project still has to clear several hurdles. These include land ownership negotiations and a working agreement on how the partnership between the city and the developer will proceed. As a result, the timeline for the project is still very much up in the air and could take several years if not decades before the project becomes a reality.

Still, those at City Hall are said to be very excited about the project and believe it’s a necessary step in the evolution of Burlington and meets not only the housing needs but designed to bring more entertainment options to residents.