Kitchener residents rally against redevelopment project in Rosemount neighborhood

Developers behind a proposed housing project at Krug Centre Plaza in Kitchener are being met with resistance. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk explains.

Residents living in Kitchener’s Rosemount neighbourhood are fighting to stop the redevelopment of the Krug Centre Plaza.

“This plaza has been around since the 60s,” said Rita Palacios, one of the members of the group. “[Now] the developer has decided they want to convert it into four buildings.”

Freure Homes purchased the plaza and plans to turn it into a housing complex.

The redevelopment includes four six-storey buildings with more than 230 rental apartments, a park and a parking structure.

“Eighty per cent of them will be two-bedroom and three-bedroom units,” said David Fruere, president of Fruere Homes. “We tend to cater to families, and we intend to cater to people who actually want to live in these apartments.”

The pushback comes from neighbours who worry about increased traffic and privacy issues.

“We’re concerned about the impact [it’s] going to have on the neighbourhood, because we don’t really think that the current plan really fits with the vibe of this neighbourhood,” Lauren McDonald, one of the group members, told CTV News.

“This is where some of our happiest moments are,” said a child who lives nearby. “We don’t want that to go away.”

“I love this place,” said another child. “I feel like I need it in my life.”

The group also worries the redevelopment could raise the number of residential vacancies.

“We would hate to see an empty building here,” Palacios said.

Another concern is the potential impact to other business owners.

“They are including space in the build for businesses, but we don’t know what that’s going to look like at the end of the day, as far as what businesses will be staying and what businesses will come,” explained McDonald.

Freure has heard the community’s concerns.

“We’re going to do it in phases,” he insisted. “We could see how it goes. We would make sure these units are designed to meet the market.”

Those opposed to the development say they just want to be part of the planning process.

“It’s not that we don’t want change, it’s that we want to be a part of it and participate in it, so that it’s ours to enjoy as well,” Palacios said.

“Please listen to our concerns,” added Susan Perrin, another member of the group. “Hopefully we can come to a compromise where we can all be happy.”

Yellow ribbons have been tied up around the area as a visible protest, while residents also started a written petition against the proposed project.

“Give your voice so that we can at least say we had some input in this,” group member Jennifer Birnstihl said.

Freure, for his part, pointed out there are still several hurdles to overcome before construction can begin. One is the height of the proposed buildings. The plan calls for six storeys, two more than the city’s zoning bylaw currently allows.

Until that happens, Freure promised there would be more public meetings and consultations, with the goal of finding common ground with the community.