Sydney Steel Corporation Business Plan 2003-04 (continued)
Site Re-Development - During
2002, land use planners Environmental Design and Management Ltd
(EDM) worked to develop a land use plan and redevelopment strategy
for the Sysco site. As part of developing the plan, EDM engaged
in public consultation in order to reflect the opportunities and
concerns identified by local stakeholders and the community.
EDM's Final Land Use Plan & Re-development Strategy for the
Former Sysco Property proposes that the 445-acre site be redeveloped
as a premier industrial park. It states that there is real potential
for the site to attract new and different businesses to the area,
businesses that might not otherwise think of locating here.
Sysco has accepted and begun implementing the final report of EDM,
which was released at an open house on July 3, 2002.
Overall the vision is for the Sysco property to be a vibrant part
of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality that contributes to economic
re-development and long-term job creation. This vision sees the
former Sysco site becoming:
- Vibrant with new industry and business providing long-term
jobs
- A leader in meeting all environmental standards
- A promoter of CBRM in partnership with the ports and other
land based industrial assets
- A key provider of cargos for a railway that is now secure
- A place with lots of green space, walking trails and bike paths
- Connected to the community by an improved road network, providing
a better direct route to Highway 125 and a second access into
Whitney Pier
- A good place to work
- A key factor in making CBRM a better place to set up business
and raise a family
Considerable progress is already being made on the redevelopment plan:
Recommendation 1 -
Proceed with demolition, keeping in mind potential future uses
|
Demolition is approx. 60 per cent complete - on time and on
budget. Certain structures will be retained for industrial park
use. |
Recommendation 2 -
Conduct a thorough market assessment targeting anchor tenants
|
Sysco has partnered with ECBC and retained Deloitte &
Touche Fantus a site locator for Fortune 500 companies. They
will help market the site and the region to potential tenants.
|
Recommendation 3 -
Ensure an overall property development plan looking at tenant
mix, long-term management, master plans for sewer, power, water,
etc. |
A property development plan is now under development |
Recommendation 4 -
Expedite street infrastructure improvement |
Construction is nearing completion on the Sydney Ports Access
Road. The road opened to truck traffic in late 2002 and is expected
to be fully open in the Spring of 2003. The road is being built
in partnership with the private sector. |
Recommendation 5 -
Move forward with phase two environmental site assessments |
The Phase I site assessment has been completed, and a project
plan is being developed to address its recommendations. A project
manager for Phase II work was selected in the Fall of 2002. |
Recommendation 6 -
Ensure careful phasing |
An aggressive business establishment schedule is being pursued.
This will allow Sysco to capitalize on business opportunities
as they arise for the benefit of all concerned. |
Recommendation 7 -
Make short-term investments to ‘shore up’ certain
site infrastructure |
As the third phase of their work, EDM has been retained to
provide assessment and planning on this and related issues.
|
Recommendation 8 -
Continue consultation with the community |
A local individual has been retained to provide community
relations and point of contact with the local community. |
|
