The company is putting a boutique hotel in part of the building.
A spokesperson for Major’s Logging told The Western Star that the company is not quite ready to talk about all its plans for the building, but in an email the company said its plans include a microbrewery, with a tap room and growler shop retail area, and a kitchen lease space.
It said more details will be released once the design development package receives
final approval.
In the email the Deer Lake-based company said it envisions the development will enhance and celebrate the city, with aim to revitalize and increase density in the downtown area, to address and highlight opportunities within the city’s sustainability plan and to offer both local residents and tourists a four-season cultural hub.
The company said it has engaged the city throughout the entire process and it has been supportive.
Part of that process involved submitting a request seeking modification to the parking in front of the building at 53-55 West St. to designate one of the existing on-street parking spaces as an accessible space that would be dedicated to the boutique hotel. It also asked that three of the on-street parking spaces be eliminated to allow that area to be dedicated to the boutique hotel as a drop-off and pick-up zone for clients of the hotel.
The request was reviewed by staff, which recommended council approve it based on the logistics of the development and the fact that additional parking is being created to the rear of the development.
“This development cannot take place without these things in place,” said Mayor Charles Pender before council voted to approve the request.
“This is essential to making sure the business functions,” said Pender.
The parking spaces that will be created will be on city land off Todd Street behind the Ultramar. The new spaces will create more parking than presently exists.
Council also approved an entry and indemnity agreement with the company allowing the company to place an office trailer and a mechanical/tool trailer on city land off Todd Street for the duration of construction.
The city has also installed a temporary crosswalk on West Street just past the development near the entrance to the Greenwood Inn and Suites. That crosswalk, and the existing one above it, will enable pedestrians to get around the construction site as the section of sidewalk in front of the building will be inaccessible during construction.
