City issues building permit for $35-million apartment complex

Sault Ste. Marie's quest to build 1,500 new homes by 2031 got a shot in the arm last month as the city issued a building permit for a nine-storey apartment complex at 352-360 Northern Ave. East.

The existing Holy Trinity Anglican Church building, an architectural landmark on Great Northern Road for the past 63 years, will be demolished to make way for the 108-unit housing project.

The Cara Community Corp. initiative has grown considerably in size from the 58 units proposed when it was first made public by SooToday in September 2020.

Holy Trinity has served the Sault since 1918, when its first service was held in a little white church at Huckson’s Corners, Tarentorus that was used for the next 43 years.

In 1959, sod was turned for the existing church building. A new wing was added on the west side of the structure in 1986, including Holy Trinity's distinctive white cross.

Valued at $35 million, the building permit was by far the largest issued by the city in February.

The total value of all building permits issued by the city last month, including both new construction and renovation/additions work, was $37.9 million, compared to just $4.9 million for the same month last year.

There were no permits issued last month for new construction in the commercial, industrial and institutional/ governmental sectors.

Year to date, Sault Ste. Marie has issued 86 building permits worth a total of $45.3 million, compared to 69 permits worth $5.2 million during the same period in 2023.

Other permits of interest issued last month:

• an $800,000 tenant fit-out for a new doctors clinic at Unit 6, 710 Second Line East (near WalMart)
• a $704,524 tenant fit-out at Churchill Plaza to accommodate Aaron's and Shaw, as well as some selective demolition
• a $280,000 tenant fit-out at 153 Great Northern Rd. (North Gate Mall) for a Pet Valu store