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The City of Welland has established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Empire Communities for a proposed development at the former John Deere site and Dain East Lands. In addition, the MOU agreement will assist with developing new municipal assets in Dain City and adjacent lands.
The MOU establishes agreements of support through a variety of Community Improvement Plans (CIP) and Financial Incentives. The city—in accordance with its existing CIP Financial Incentive Programs—has agreed to offer Empire Communities the following incentives as part of the remediation and redevelopment of the proposed eligible lands:
- The Brownfields Tax Assistance Program
- Brownfields Tax Increment Grant Program (not to exceed $10 million per property)
- Building Permit Reduction (maximum of $2 million in aggregate for both properties)
- Development Charges Reduction (maximum of $4 million in aggregate for both properties)
- Municipal Capital Facilities Agreements
As part of the MOU agreement, Empire Communities will design and construct the replacement of the Forks Road Bridge and will further design and build the urbanization of Forks Rd., from the Kingsway to the east limit of Forks Rd.
Empire Communities will construct a new outdoor flatwater multi-use sports facility and other recreational amenities adjacent to the Welland International Flatwater Centre (WIFC). The developers will further contribute $100,000 toward the city’s Canal Walkway Plan by the end of 2020 and has agreed to provide $500,000 for naming rights of the WIFC. The following facilities are included in the proposed development:
- Tennis Courts
- Beach Volleyball Courts
- New Clubhouse
- Pickleball Courts
- Yoga/Stretching Area
- Basketball Courts
- Paved Parking
- New Lighting
Empire Communities will invest $1.5 million towards each of the eligible properties in the Dain East Lands and former John Deere site, which will bring park and trail amenities to the new proposed residential developments. Two new splash pads and playground equipment are also proposed in the developments.
“This MOU is an excellent example of how we work collaboratively with companies that invest in Welland,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “Empire, with assistance from our incentive program, will clean up and build quality homes on a brownfield site, and at the same time, invest their money in our city that will benefit residents well into the future.”
For more information on the City of Welland and Community Improvement Plan Financial Incentives, visitwww.welland.ca.
