Cornwall_2012_11_07

NEWS

editionap.ca

Russell Twp. man sought in violent robbery

Condo development to reach $70M

GREG KIELEC greg.kielec@eap.on.ca

By Greg Kielec greg.kielec@eap.on.ca

A heritage building from the 1880s is the next target in a $70-million redevelop- ment project in Cornwall’s east-end Cot- ton Mill area. Bob Pelda, owner of RMP Construction and Development, said work to convert the old Edison building at the west end of the Weave Shed on Cotton Mill Drive will begin on Jan. 15. The 34 units to be created in the building are already 72 per cent pre-sold or reserved, he said. RMP will also be focusing on the large Weave Shed building, including the cre- ation of an underground parking garage, over the next two years on the south side of Cotton Mill Drive, Pelda said. The parking garage will boast up to 90 spaces for both residential and commercial use. The developer expects the entire Cot- ton Mills project will be the largest mixed commercial and residential development of its kind in Cornwall. The final phases of the project should be completed within the next seven to 10 years, Pelda said. The old finishing mill is the first building being completed in the ambitious re-devel- opment near the city’s waterfront south of Montreal Road on McConnell Avenue. Fifty- two of the 53 units at the loft have been al- ready sold, Pelda said. The third building phase will be the con- struction of a “Bell Tower” to replicate the The founder of Groupe Renaissance Group has a new target in his sights, and it is the Cornwall harbour. Chuck Charlebois sees the largely ne- glected harbour as the next piece of the puzzle in the Renaissance Group’s efforts to revitalization Cornwall’s Le Village area. But it will mean getting a fickle federal govern- ment onside, as well other levels of govern- ment, including Akwesasne. The Renaissance Group is surveying area residents about what they would like to see in the harbour area along the waterfront between Marlborough Street and McCon- nell Avenue. Unsurprisingly, one of the big- gest demands so far, is public access, Char- lebois said. Bob Pelda of RMP Construction and Development, along with Bill Kaneb of Cornwall Warehousing, had presented ambitious plans to Cornwall’s Waterfront Development Committee in February. But Pelda said last Tuesday that he has passed the torch along to the Renaissance Group. “I’ve kind of stepped aside and said, here was our vision from a development per- By Greg Kielec greg.kielec@eap.on.ca

The SD&G OPP Crime Unit is seeking the public’s assistance to locate a man con- nected to a vicious robbery early Oct. 27 in South Glengarry. A warrant has

been issued for the arrest of Jonathan Leroux, 29, of Russell Township. He is 5’9” tall, weighs 160 lbs. and has numerous tattoos on his arm and torso. Anyone with information on Leroux’s where-

Photo Greg Kielec

Jonathan Leroux

Chuck Charlebois, seated, listens as Bob Pelda of RMP Construction and Develop- ment, speaks at Groupe Renaissance’s annual meeting this evening. Next to Pelda are Ron Elderbroom, marketing co-ordinator for Harbour Project 2012, and new loft condo owner Mike Poulet.

abouts can call OPP or Crime Stoppers. A man and woman were taken to hospital in Cornwall after they were injured during the robbery at a home along old County Road 2 in South Glengarry. Police have already charged three Russell Township men in connection with the rob- bery: Shawn Kilbride, 24; Wayne Jestin, 24, and Jessie Leroux, 22. They are all charged with robbery with a weapon, break, enter a place-commit indictable offence, assault with a weapon, mischief under $5,000, as- sault causing bodily harm, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and disguise with intent.

original building which burned down in a spectacular blaze in late 2010. That build- ing, which is already 40 per cent reserved, will be erected west of the yet-to-be-con- structed Edison building, Pelda said. Pelda presented a $5,000 cheque to downtown revitalization proponent Groupe Renaissance Group from RMP Construction at the group’s annual meeting last Tuesday. The money will assist in future planning and marketing. Speaking at the meeting, Pelda lauded the work of those striving to revitalize the Le spective of what we felt could work and was extremely attractive, so we’ve passed on the torch to Chuck and his group at this time. We are focusing on our development at this present time.” He specifically mentioned a “time sen- sitive” federal government lease on the

Village area, including Groupe Renaissance founder and visionary Chuck Charlebois. “They’re not here for political gain. They are here to build the future,” Pelda said. Charlebois also lauded Pelda for his com- mitment to the ambitious redevelopment project. “He’s been in here and took a lot of chanc- es. This is a developer from out of town that came to Cornwall and listened to a story and made it happen. Sixteen million dollars later, we have 52 people living at the Cotton Mills.” Recreational pursuits would be one of the focal points of the new harbour front. There could be cruise boats, fishing boat charters, bicycle rentals, sailboats, kayaks and scuba diving lessons, according to the brochure. It could also be used for free public fes- tivals, fishing derbies and events centered

Renaissance Group focusing on harbour area

harbourfront ware- house, which was discussed in Febru- ary as one of the key stumbling blocks to developing the har- bourfront area. “So we thought we better not bite off more than we can chew at this point and do a good job on each individual phase,” Pelda said.

around the arrival of tall ships at the har- bour. Charlebois is hop- ing to present a re- port detailing rede- velopment plans for the harbour area to Cornwall city council in April, after solicit- ing public input. It will take a com- bination of private investment and gov-

“I’ve kind of stepped aside and said, here was our vision from a development perspec- tive of what we felt could work and was extremely attractive, so we’ve passed on the torch to Chuck and his group at this time. “

The project will transform “a largely ne- glected industrial land into a vibrant di- verse land,” according to a Cornwall Har- bour Revitalization brochure produced by Groupe Renaissance Group. It will include a bistro, a roof top patio and public walkways and spaces leading to farmers markets and flea markets.

ernment support to make the harbour revi- talization a success. “What the city can’t do is pay everything,” Charlebois said. It will also mean encouraging the federal government to divest of the harbour front land. “Sometimes they want to talk about it and sometime they don’t,” Charlebois said.

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