Message from the Executive Director (July 9, 2021)

Friday, July 9, 2021

July 9th, 2021

Good afternoon, BIA Members,

What a summer we’re having so far! Open Air Dunlop seems to be drawing more and more people to our downtown each weekend regardless of how hot, humid or rainy it may be. These weekends are really proving to showcase how amazing our downtown and its businesses really are.

We couldn’t ask for a better way to show off why it’s worth investing in our community. With all the residential development slated for the area, Open Air Dunlop is the perfect way for potential downtown residents to scope out what could be their new neighbourhood.

If you tuned into the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA)’s presentation to Barrie City Council back in June, you would have noticed one of the items I touched on was residential development that is or soon will be underway in and around our downtown. As part of the Mayor’s West End Task Force, I’ve been given an inside glimpse of three new residential developments. These developments include the Debut Condos that will be located in the theatre block along Dunlop Street West, the HIP Development that is proposed to be located on the corner of Dunlop Street West and Bradford Street, and the SmartCentres Development that will be located on Bradford Street.

Once complete, these developments will have brought close to 3000* new residential units to our community. With an average of 2.5 people per unit, that’s an influx of approximately 7500 residents within walking distance to your businesses. Something to note is that these numbers exclude the Lakhouse development on Dunlop Street East and the proposed Revera development for Owen Street.

The future of our downtown community will include so many new residents who we are excited to welcome!

Before heading into our fifth Open Air Dunlop this Saturday, , I’d like to update our members that we have put our bi-weekly BIA member huddles on hold until the fall. Of course, you are always welcome to come see us at the BIA office between Tuesday and Friday and then at Meridian Place on Saturdays with Open Air Dunlop. Here’s to another exciting weekend coming our way!

See you downtown!

Kelly McKenna
Executive Director
Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA)

*As per this memo provided by the City of Barrie's Development Services Department