Municipal election year and many other items on the 2014 docket
By Mark Schadenberg
What’s in store for 2014 ?
I’m not referring to the excitement of the Sochi Olympics or the Memorial Cup hockey tournament in London.
The continued optimism of the Woodstock economy is a forward-moving spiral reaching up and up. You may think I’m exaggerating, but I would say the opposite – optimism abounds. In sales – you must remember – the cup is always half full and in Woodstock it is reaching the meniscus.
Examples
Quietly, about one year ago, one of Woodstock’s significant warehouse employers relocated to the Commerce Way business park on Parkinson Road, which of course has terrific exposure with its 401 frontage for signage.
The company I’m referring to is Scholastic Books. Anyone with school-age children is familiar with Scholastic – whether it’s a catalogue sent home in a child’s backpack or a book fair (www.scholastic.ca/bookfairs). Some expansions and relocations occur in a quiet fashion as Scholastic was a relocation from an industrial plaza at Lansdowne and Bysham. I would bet most residents of Woodstock would not even know that the regional sales office for Scholastic is here.
Making The Short List
Anyway, here’s a short list of more items to watch for in 2014.
1. In November of 2013 it was announced that Agco corporation (www.agcocorp.com) was assuming a huge lease deal in the Commerce Way park for 67,000 sq ft. Agco is: “a global leader focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery, relocated to be closer to its customers and transportation infrastructure.”
2. Can’t forget about www.sysco.ca or www.syscocentralontario.com Sysco has locations (warehousing for distribution of food to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, etc) in eight provinces and Ontario includes a brand new base in Woodstock, along with Peterborough (Their initial location, I believe), Windsor, Milton, Mississauga, Kingston, Ottawa and Thunder Bay. Over 160 locations in total.
3. Construction of residential phase one at former Woodstock General Hospital location.
4. Lansdowne Meadows subdivision with the Builders’ Group continues to advance now east of Halifax on Munnoch Road with the high-end residential construction on Juno Crescent.
5. Neighbourhoods of Devonshire on the south side of Devonshire where Claysam and Finoro are building in the $250,000 range for more modest detached homes and linked townhouses. Claysam is now into phase two of their section of subdivision.
6. In AlderGrange, developer Albert Hargreaves has moved east of Lakeview Drive. A price schedule for lots and subdivision plans are available. Call me for details on any residential subdivision.
7. The commercial plaza in Bysham Park where Maglin outdoor furniture is located is expanding. Lots of steel girders on site there.
8. Converting the old St Rita’s school (pictured) into a furniture store. The property has an offer from a Kitchener buyer, according to Mayor Pat Sobeski (http://www.1047.ca/news/local-news/webchat-with-the-mayor-jan-14th/)
9. The on-going conversion of the old Harvey Woods plant on VanSittart into a residential complex by the Homestead Christian Care group. See: http://homesteadchristiancare.ca/services/woodstock-program/
10. A municipal election year is always interesting as the autumn creates a ‘lame duck’ city council, which means all major new spending (not appearing in 2014 capital or operations budget for city) will happen by early summer. I’m expecting council to finally give a ‘thumbs up’ to phase one of the Woodall Farm recreation complex to include at least five proper-sized ball diamonds. I’ve been on the recreation advisory committee for more than a dozen years and this project must move forward.
1. In November of 2013 it was announced that Agco corporation (www.agcocorp.com) was assuming a huge lease deal in the Commerce Way park for 67,000 sq ft. Agco is: “a global leader focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery, relocated to be closer to its customers and transportation infrastructure.”
2. Can’t forget about www.sysco.ca or www.syscocentralontario.com Sysco has locations (warehousing for distribution of food to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, etc) in eight provinces and Ontario includes a brand new base in Woodstock, along with Peterborough (Their initial location, I believe), Windsor, Milton, Mississauga, Kingston, Ottawa and Thunder Bay. Over 160 locations in total.
3. Construction of residential phase one at former Woodstock General Hospital location.
4. Lansdowne Meadows subdivision with the Builders’ Group continues to advance now east of Halifax on Munnoch Road with the high-end residential construction on Juno Crescent.
5. Neighbourhoods of Devonshire on the south side of Devonshire where Claysam and Finoro are building in the $250,000 range for more modest detached homes and linked townhouses. Claysam is now into phase two of their section of subdivision.
6. In AlderGrange, developer Albert Hargreaves has moved east of Lakeview Drive. A price schedule for lots and subdivision plans are available. Call me for details on any residential subdivision.
7. The commercial plaza in Bysham Park where Maglin outdoor furniture is located is expanding. Lots of steel girders on site there.
8. Converting the old St Rita’s school (pictured) into a furniture store. The property has an offer from a Kitchener buyer, according to Mayor Pat Sobeski (http://www.1047.ca/news/local-news/webchat-with-the-mayor-jan-14th/)
9. The on-going conversion of the old Harvey Woods plant on VanSittart into a residential complex by the Homestead Christian Care group. See: http://homesteadchristiancare.ca/services/woodstock-program/
10. A municipal election year is always interesting as the autumn creates a ‘lame duck’ city council, which means all major new spending (not appearing in 2014 capital or operations budget for city) will happen by early summer. I’m expecting council to finally give a ‘thumbs up’ to phase one of the Woodall Farm recreation complex to include at least five proper-sized ball diamonds. I’ve been on the recreation advisory committee for more than a dozen years and this project must move forward.
And . . .
The grand opening of two more car washes in the city – one next door to our 757 Dundas Royal LePage real estate office and another on Ingersoll Road.
I don’t believe one month goes by without more good news for growth in Woodstock (www.cometothecrossroads.com).
MORE LINKS
LOCAL LOOK BACK LINK:
http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2013/12/27/oxford-mayors-offer-their-insight-into-2013
http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2013/12/27/oxford-mayors-offer-their-insight-into-2013
NATIONAL ECONOMY PREDICTION LINKS:
http://www.oreablog.com/2013/12/ontarians-optimistic-about-2014-real-estate-market-and-economy/
http://www.oreablog.com/2013/12/ontarians-optimistic-about-2014-real-estate-market-and-economy/
Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative
Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)
Royal LePage Triland Realty
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
www.wesellwoodstock.com
(519) 537-1553, cell or text
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage
Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination
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