Developer behind $200M LaSalle commercial complex 'excited' to see it move forward

The developer behind a proposed new commercial development that's slated to bring a Food Basics, McDonald's, Tim Hortons and other services to the Town of LaSalle says it's exciting to have reached a milestone in the project, which is set to begin construction in early 2025.

Town council voted to approve in principal removing the holding provision on the project lands.

Staff will now prepare a bylaw to formalize the removal once a site plan agreement is in place. 

"I used to have a restaurant that sits just next to where this property is, and almost on a daily basis, people would come and go, 'What's happening with this land that your father has? … You know what you need? You need a grocery store,'" said Scott D'Amore, the president of LaSalle Heritage Group, which is spearheading the project.

"So for me to get a major brand name grocer to come there – like that to me is huge. To be able to make history and bring the first McDonald's to the town of LaSalle – that to me is a piece of history."

The complex will also include a Shoppers Drug Mart, a Dollarama, a Tim Hortons, a gas station, a hotel, and a number of other services, D'Amore said.

It is slated to be built on a parcel of land on Sandwich West Parkway that covers about 10 hectares (24 acres). 

Phase one will provide nearly 14,000 square metres (over 150,000 square feet) of floor space and is projected to create around 400 sustainable jobs, D'Amore said.

The entire complex will provide more than 23,000 square metres (250,000 square feet) of commercial space, he said.

It represents a private investment in the town of approximately $200 million.

Residents could see some stores open as early as late 2025, with full completion of phase one anticipated in the spring or summer of 2026, D'Amore said. 

Council typically removes the holding provision on land once it's satisfied that a piece of land is sufficiently serviced to support a proposed development and the required development agreements are in place between the town and the property owner, according to a memo to mayor and council from Gudrin Beggs, the town's director of planning and development. 

Beggs told council the lot has adequate storm, sanitary and water services to support the complex, and that the town is "very close to being able to work with the applicant to issue site plan approval in principle."

Nobody spoke against the motion at Tuesday's council meeting, but several councillors expressed support.

"This is awesome," said Coun. Mark Carrick. 

"Thank you for making the commitment to the town and providing 400 jobs and the amenities – and walking distance to my house. So thank you very much."

"I think this is fantastic," said Coun. Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo.  

"It's wonderful that it's going to create a lot of jobs in our community for the youngsters as well as the adults."

LaSalle Heritage Group is building the complex on land purchased by D'Amore's father 50 years ago, he said.

The family and its partners have developed more than 113 hectares (280 acres) in LaSalle over the past 25 years, constructing houses, condos and a park.

However, D'Amore's father had also envisioned a shopping district to pull the community together, he told council, and that initiative had proven to be more challenging.

"To be part of the process and part of the team that was able to finally bring this vision to reality is humbling, exciting and it makes me proud," D'Amore told CBC News. 

"And the amount of messages, calls and texts that I got … from people referencing how my father would feel about it, it was a truly special day."