A trio of developers bidding to construct a conference centre for the City of Kingston has failed to reach an agreement with the city within the prescribed 120-day period set by council.
The proposal by Patry Group, Milhaus and Broccolini will be set aside and staff will report back to council later this year on ways to move the project forward, according to a city news release.
The city has reserved a roughly two-acre block of land downtown, currently a surface parking lot adjacent to Slush Puppie Place, for the proposed conference centre and related amenities.
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The idea of a downtown Kingston conference centre was first proposed in October 2013. In February 2024, council endorsed the concept and proceeded to a request for proposals process. Six proposals were submitted, but the Patry/Milhaus/Broccolini bid was the only one to advance past the second round.
Eastern Ontario municipalities want Highway 401 corridor route for Alto, Kingston stop
Opposition to the proposed Alto train routes through eastern Ontario continues to grow, with municipalities including the City of Brockville, rural residents, scientific and nature groups such as the Queen’s University Biological Station, and agricultural organizations including the Beef Farmers of Ontario all voicing concerns.
The issue came to a head March 9, when politicians representing Kingston and South Frontenac held a news conference calling for a third route option that more closely follows Highway 401.
Supporters say such a route could avoid some of the concerns associated with the proposed southern route and would more easily allow for a Kingston stop. The City of Kingston, local employers and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have all advocated for a stop in the city. There is currently no Alto stop planned between Ottawa and Peterborough.
Meanwhile, the Town of Smiths Falls has hired a consultant to help build a business case for a stop in that region.
Consultations led by Alto continue until April 24.
Cabn expanding with provincial support
Cabn plans to expand its prefabricated home production in Brockville as part of a $12-million project.
The company announced March 3 that it had secured $413,896 from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, the final piece in a five-year plan to increase capacity for its net-zero homes.
Cabn produces “smart homes” shipped in flat packs and assembled on site for use in high-end resorts and remote communities. CEO Jackson Wyatt said the company operates both for-profit and non-profit divisions that produce similar units with different mandates.
“Our non-profit mission is to build cost-effective, scalable housing solutions for municipalities, developers and builders,” Wyatt told OBJ, pointing to a 67-unit community in the planning stages in Augusta Township.
Wyatt said Cabn has installations from California to Cape Breton and is working on a six-storey project in the Leeds-Grenville area.
The company’s expansion is expected to create 47 jobs and includes construction of a 15,000-square-foot outdoor inventory management and processing facility.
Rideau Lakes dome manufacturer receives provincial funding
A Rideau Lakes manufacturer of geodesic dome greenhouses has received $665,533 in provincial funding.
According to a news release from MPP Steve Clark, Arctic Acres plans to build a new 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to produce its ventilated structural insulated panels, used in its year-round growing structures. The domes range from 15 to 42 feet in diameter.
The funding comes through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, created in response to U.S. tariffs.
Kingston plans to add business park land
The City of Kingston could add 60 acres of undeveloped, unserviced land in the city’s east end to its business park inventory.
The move was approved at a recent planning committee meeting. Saru Gill Bajwa, the city’s land development manager, told OBJ the proposal is expected to go to full council on April 7, followed by a plan of subdivision application.
The city added 100 acres to its west-end business park inventory in 2024, but that land is now largely allocated following the announced future relocation of Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
Highway 17 to be widened to four lanes
The province has issued a request for proposals to widen Highway 17 from two lanes to four between Renfrew and Arnprior.
Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke MPP Billy Denault said in a government news release the highway is a critical artery in the Ottawa Valley and important to the regional economy.
The first phase of the RFP closes April 17, with the second phase closing July 10.
Kettlemans expanding to Kingston
Ottawa-based Kettlemans Bagel is expanding to Kingston as part of a broader franchise rollout in four Ontario cities.
Kingston is expected to receive two locations: a sandwich shop and a separate bakery.
Timelines and locations have yet to be finalized, but president and COO Amer Wahab told OBJ the expansion is expected to create more than 60 jobs.
Perth BIA limits use of AI in public content
The Downtown Perth BIA says it will not use artificial intelligence in its public-facing content, including articles, social media posts and videos.
A new policy allows AI for internal editing, outlining, translation, summaries and limited photo editing and design support.
Board chair Brodie Berrigan told OBJ the BIA is not opposed to new technology, but wants it used responsibly.
“Generally, when you’re promoting something that’s real, like our downtown, you want to ensure that what you’re posting is reflective of what you are promoting: real people, real places,” he said. “The policy is really meant to be for forward-facing content to ensure authenticity and to support artists and professionals who create content.”
Berrigan and Shawn Vernier, representing the Stewart Park Festival organizers who helped initiate the policy discussion, said the guidelines primarily apply to digital channels and have not yet been extended to performers or physical goods.
