Uxbridge approves new Brock Street building

UXBRIDGE -- While work is underway to improve a section of road in Uxbridge's downtown, a building in the town's core will be demolished to make way for a new structure.

On June 22, councillors supported a plan from Keith and Elaine Miller to destroy the building at 88 Brock St. W., and build a two-storey structure in its place.

"You can't rent it out in the condition it's in," said Mr. Miller of the current location. The building was previously occupied by the Times-Journal and also was once used by phone switchboard operators.

He told councillors while there is no tenant signed on yet, the site will be designed to accommodate many uses. Mayor Bob Shepherd applauded the initiative, adding the work will fit in with efforts to revitalize the downtown core. The structure falls within boundaries of a Region road reconstruction project on Brock Street West from Toronto to Victoria streets.

Meanwhile, the Co-op near Brock Street West and Victoria Drive will be demolished in the near future to make way for a new glass head office of First Leaside Securities. The proposed 40,000-sq.-ft. building already garnered an award for design in the 2008 Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence.