By Mark Schadenberg
I better not tell my 9-year-old
daughter I'm writing about Sierra McCormick, or she might think it's
a story related to the TV show ANT Farm and the actress by that same
name who played a character named Olive.
All of my worries should be reduced as
I state my topic to be Sierra Construction of Woodstock, which now
owns the former McCormick plant on Dundas Street in London, as Sierra
announces or reveals its energetic plans for a multi-faceted and
exciting rehab of portions of the factory plus brand new components
to the former confectionery (candy and biscuits) brands property.
Historic photo of McCormick factory
on Dundas Street in London
Artist drawing of proposed mixed-use
construction of former London factory
Folks in London may not be too familiar
with Sierra, but they have been the cog, spokes and wheels to many
projects in the Woodstock area including the Sally Creek subdivision
(Conversion of the old ORC lands on west side of Hwy 59 to
residential), Oxford Gardens retirement complex (transform the former
Woodingford Lodge retirement home), plus (renovating) Harvey Woods
Lofts on VanSittart, along with many commercial structures locally
and elsewhere in southern Ontario such as commercial retail plazas,
Woodstock Chrysler dealership and Leon's Furniture, fitness centres,
plus institutional buildings like fire stations, schools and
libraries. Sierra is also unique to some degree as they also do the
infra-structure – roads and sidewalks, storm water management
ponds, sewers and all other servicing installations.
Sierra was established in 1994 and its
venture and adventure into London's 1156 Dundas Street property (12.8
acres in total) appears to be a jigsaw puzzle which combines all
their specialties – building, landscaping, reviving, developing,
multi-family residential, townhouses, commercial, earth-moving,
seniors lifestyle living, and an overall game plan for a
neighbourhood.
The McCormick factory has been shut
since 2008 and the now-derelict building will see much of its
structure be re-purposed or brought back to life. At various times,
McCormick employed more than 1,100, so the London-area construction
employment sector will also receive a boost as countless tradespeople
will be on site with brand new foundations to pour and an old
building to renovate.
A story on CTV London News indicated
that the sale price was $1, but considering the fact the 4-storey
McCormick factory (Opened back in 1914) has been vacant for more than
six years and also had a fire in 2012, and when you consider the
costs in demolition and environmental studies, surveyors and
structural engineers, the price tag appears to reflect value.
The McCormick name in the confectionery
industry in London goes back to 1854, according to a historical entry
on a London library website. The McCormick locale on Dundas Street
opened its doors in 1914 and by the time it closed was part of the
Beta Brands name.
Among the challenges facing Sierra is
municipal scrutiny for a zoning change, site plan approvals, along
with scheduled public meetings where neighbourhood residents can
offer their opinion on items ranging from density to overall
appearance to greenspace.
The re-purposing of another brownfield
is extremely important as it compares to recycling.
As a municipality grows its boundaries,
it's integral, in my opinion, to utilize and maximize all existing
lands too. In other words vacant commercial buildings must find a new
purpose, as do all empty schools, storefronts, and other seemingly
obsolete buildings. Just like much of London's South Street hospital
is to fee a bright future and a 'new look'.
In Woodstock there was the Harvey Woods
Lofts, but also changes to four vacant schools, including two
converted to condo apartments – Chapel and Broadway, while Princess
Street school is now medical offices.
LINKS:
http://www.lfpress.com/2015/06/29/zoning-change-needed-for-plan-to-proceed
2014 Stories:
2013 Story:
2012 Story:
YouTube Tour:
Not this Sierra McCormick
of the TV show ANT Farm
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
Facebook:
Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland
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