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Barring any obstacles, shovels could in the ground this fall for
the $10-million development in Ripley.
Initiated by David Brown, who owns an extensive amount of property
in the village, the project would transform the downtown into a
culinary destination with "... great food, great restaurants, great
hospitality and great shops."
Brown unveiled his plan to Huron-Kinloss council in December of last
year, to create Ripley Square, beginning with the block along Queen
Street, where Dalton Pottery is located, which includes the old
hotel and the Courtney building.
The impetus for doing this project came when the Thompson Feed Mill
went up for sale earlier in 2008. That property, located to the
north of the development, is ideal for parking.
Brown plans to restore the buildings on Queen, Huron, and Melville
Streets, and construct a third row of buildings along the south end,
encasing a courtyard which could be used for a farmers' market,
outdoor concerts, and an outdoor cafe. The buildings would be three
storeys high and the courtyard would be dug down with entrances to
the basements. The proposal also includes 159 apartments, with
56,000 square feet of residential space, as well as 36,000 square
feet of commercial space. Brown estimates the cost of the
development at $10 million. (next column)
27/03/2009 07:57 PM
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With a background in hospitality, he would like to see
restaurants in the village done up in an 1870s-1880s theme, attracting
people to work and dine there, and making Ripley a culinary destination
in its own right. He said the sky's the limit when it comes to
possibilities for the Ripley area, including such things as a cooking
school in the old hotel, golf course packages, and farm vacations.
He held an open house Dec. 11 and the public support for this project
was overwhelming. He encouraged people to fill out a form, indicating
any ideas they have for the project.
As a curious on-looker, Brown attended the March 10 meeting in
Kincardine, between the Municipality of Kincardine and Bruce Power and
the industries at the Bruce Energy Centre.
After the meeting, he told the Kincardine Times that his
development has received plenty of support from the people of Ripley, as
well as support from the planning department at the township and Bruce
County levels.
"The Courtney building will be under way first," he said. "My architect
is working on the drawings for it. We're hoping to get it started this
year, possibly by the fall, it depends on the economy. I have to line up
all the financing for it."
Brown lives in Toronto but has a cottage on Goderich Street at the south
end of Kincardine. His grandparents lived in Ripley and his father was
born in Kincardine in 1921. "I have a lot of connections with this area
which I have maintained," he said.
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