Leamington is fast-tracking a $30,000 traffic study to potentially accommodate plans for a multi-million dollar renovation of the Princess Centre, now going by the name Central 33.
Co-owner Carl Grossi wants to close Princess St. out front of the building from Setterington St. to Mill St. to allow for a parkette to be built, just one part of his vision for the new Central 33 to help rejuvenate Leamington's uptown.
"There are a lot of businesses and a lot of opportunities in this town," says Grossi. "Without charging development fees for homes, it's going to be attracting more people and creating excitement in this town."
Grossi says Heinz's departure hasn't stopped Leamington from being a place worth investing in.
"Highbury Canco is actually improving and increasing the amount of volume that they're doing, but it's not only that industry it's also the other industries in the area," says Grossi. "We have Lake Erie, the marina is a jewel in our area. We have a hospital, we have the [Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex]. The amenities we have in Leamington is maybe a dream in other communities."
The study was originally planned for next year, but council approved accelerating plans to better work with the developers. The study will look at traffic flow on four one-way streets, but will now also include the impacts of closing Princess St. from Setterington St. to Mill St.
Grossi says interior renovations have already begun while exterior work is ready to begin upon approval and would take about four to five months.