CORNWALL, Ontario – It could take as long as three years to determine how severely contaminated the former Domtar lands are in Cornwall, and finalize plans for future use.
Martin Rose, a representative of Paris Holdings – the firm that bought the lands and has been systematically demolishing the property – has penned a letter to city hall outlining future plans for the property.
In the letter, Rose points out the process of investigating the site and preparing plans for cleaning it up won’t be a quick endeavour.
“Completing this process could take up to three years to execute depending on the degree and complexity of the environmental issues,” Rose said. “Upon completion of the initial investigation/planning phase, Paris Holdings will be working with Fotenn Urban Planning Consultants on the comprehensive development of a master plan for the entire site which will outline three potential mixed use(s).”
The uses would include residential, commercial and institutional/office components, as well as an open nature space along the waterfront.
Investigative efforts are being focused on studying the land on what would be considered the “main mill site” while existing work on the “north parking lot” is being updated.
City hall and Parish Holdings have indicated there will be a community consultation concerning the future use of the land.
The city’s planning department is expected to liaise with representatives of Paris Holdings and Fotenn with the anticipation of reporting back to council in the fall with a more formalized work plan.
Last year city council began requesting regular updates on the status of demolition and future use of the Domtar lands.
Domtar employed many hundreds of people before closing its doors 10 years ago.
