More about that new train station proposal

A public meeting regarding the potential rezoning of a portion of the St. Mary's Paper site — which would allow for a ‘tourism-related’ train station — is slated to be held during this Monday’s city council meeting.

The applicant, Superior Industrial Services, is owned by Tony Porco, who also heads up an ownership group in charge of The Machine Shop.

A report to council says areas for community events would be a part of the landscape, in addition to a fountain and/or rink.

The site would also incorporate the Group of Seven boxcar and other train-related artifacts into the area under the proposal.

“The overall design is intended to further develop the historic characteristics of the site,” reads the report.

The council report states that “extensive landscaping” is being proposed for the purpose of a pedestrian friendly environment.  

“The applicant has indicated a strong interest in working with the city to extend the Hub Trail through the property,” reads the report. “Staff will be working with the applicant to develop this component.”

It's still not known, however, what exactly is going to happen with the Pulp Tower portion of the St. Mary's Paper site.

Justus Veldman, owner of Riversedge Developments, told SooToday that development of the structure — which made the National Trust for Canada’s Top 10 Endangered Places list — is on hold indefinitely, but that the train station proposal has given him hope. 

Meanwhile, Porco has applied to have a holding by-law provision removed for portions of 87, 95 and 107 Huron St., which would allow for all of the proposed concepts, including the construction of a new train station, to be developed. 

A similar holding provision was lifted by city council back in 2013 for the office building, machine shop and related parking areas on the former St. Marys Paper site.

The office building became home to the Algoma Conservatory of Music, while the former machine shop morphed into the repurposed restaurant and entertainment venue known as The Machine Shop.

The public meeting for Porco’s latest redevelopment proposal will be held in city council chambers May 28 at 5:30 p.m.