Region to build transit hub in stages, construction set to begin in 2020
Retail and residential space 'will involve partnerships with private developers,' region says
The transit hub planned for King and Victoria Streets in Kitchener will be built in phases with construction slated to begin in 2020.
Council approved a phased approach to the hub during its council meeting on Wednesday.
The transit infrastructure will be the first to be built, according to the plan, but will allow for flexibility for future developments, the region said in a release.
"Future phases creating commercial and residential space will involve partnerships with private developers," the release said.
"The process will be guided by a master plan that places emphasis on interconnectivity of spaces and design excellence."
The province has signed an agreement with the region for $43 million in funding for the hub.
The region has had some difficulty securing a developer to work on the transit hub.
In 2017, the region made a request for proposals from potential developers and received one response from King-Victoria Transit Hub Partners Inc.
But Ellen McGaghey, project director for the King-Victoria Transit Hub, told CBC News in November that as the group shared their vision and preliminary designs, "it became apparent that they weren't going to meet our requirements for it."
The region continued with the request for proposal process in the spring, but ultimately, councillors decided to terminate that process in November.
McGaghey said the region wants the transit hub to be a centralized transportation area for ION LRT, Grand River Transit, taxis and other modes of city transportation, combined with commercial and residential space as well.