In Conversation With... Brian Sutherland, Vice-President of Development, Argo Development Corp.

If you’re familiar with the Lakeview area of Port Credit, or you’ve driven along this stretch of Lakeshore Road in Mississauga, you’ve likely noticed something different. Most notable is a striking, 1,600-linear-ft. hoarding featuring the works of local artists, other art installations and one of the first structures that will soon become part of the expansive, multi-year, master-planned development – Lakeview Village.

Until the last couple of years, this former site of the Lakeview Generating Station, demolished in 2007, sat dormant awaiting redevelopment. Now, finally, things are happening – early signs of a major rejuvenation that will eventually give rise to a new community comprising 8,000 new homes and 20,000 residents.

We spoke to Brian Sutherland, vice-president of development for Argo Development Corp., development lead for Lakeview Village, to get the latest update on this transformative project.

How is the progress at Lakeview Village coming along?

It’s certainly been busy on-site, particularly over the last several months. Last month, we received Official Plan Amendment approvals, zoning bylaw approval and Draft Plan Approval (DPA) for Lakeview Village, from Mississauga City Council. We also unveiled Lakeview Village’s official branding and announced our Phase 1 builder partners.

We’re also nearing completion on the Lakeview Village Discovery Centre, a central gathering place for residents and visitors, which will be used to host and welcome various events and activations, including art and educational exhibitions. It is expected to open to the public in early 2022.

Other major progress includes our work on the Phase 1 restoration of Serson Creek, and we’re also winding up the recycling of materials and debris from the former coal-fired powerplant and transitioning them for use at the adjacent Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area.

How did the development plans change from the beginning of the process to final approval, either from community input or the municipality?

During the initial planning stage, we did a significant amount of due diligence – working closely with City staff, engaging with the community, consulting various stakeholders, and we’re really happy that the approvals received from City Council this fall were aligned and stayed true to the council-endorsed master plan, which received unanimous approval in the fall of 2019.

What are the most notable changes to the plan since inception of Lakeview Village? What are you really excited about now that perhaps wasn’t so evident at the outset?

We are really excited to be advancing work on sustainable measures for Lakeview Village, such as a District Energy system, which truly makes this a sustainable waterfront community. A District Energy system implemented at Lakeview Village would be the first of its scale in Canada, and is crucial to developing a future-ready community.

Advancements in things such as parks, open-space, the pier – the characteristics that make Lakeview Village a destination and establish a true sense of place – are also incredibly exciting elements to witness. We’re bringing 50-plus acres of parks to the community, and enhancing the natural heritage corridor through the restoration of Serson Creek. While the master plan captured these elements from the start, it’s an honour to see the acceleration of this work as these aspects begin to take shape.

You recently announced the builder partners for Phase 1 – Branthaven, Caivan, Greenpark Group, DECO, Opus Homes and Tridel. What was involved in the selection process?

Ensuring that the builders involved with Lakeview Village were in alignment with our vision for the community was crucial. We want to deliver on our commitment to environmental stewardship and the provision of diverse and design-forward housing options to build a place that fosters connections between people and place. Our builder partners are the best in the business, and we’re very excited to be working together to bring Lakeview Village to life.

Servicing of the site is anticipated to begin in 2022 for completion in 2023, and we expect all of our builders to have begun work on their individual projects by 2023.

Future phases of the project build-out, beyond residential, will include areas such as the Innovation District – 20-plus acres of land that will bring 1.8 million sq. ft. of office space and 9,000 jobs to the region – a hotel, school, an arts and cultural hub, as well as other residential blocks, over the next 10 to 15 years.

When can prospective homebuyers actually begin to purchase homes at Lakeview Village?

We’re anticipating having our builder partners go to sale at various points throughout 2022 and into 2023.

The site is really taking shape, with site preparation, the sunflowers, the Discovery Centre… what are the next visual signposts that will be noticeable next spring or summer?

Later this year and into early next year, servicing will begin for completion in 2023, the first phase of the Serson Creek restoration is to be completed, and the earthwork’s are to be completed in the fall.

Placemaking has been a key component of this project throughout the entire process, and it will continue to be during the build-out. Engaging the community, encouraging them to visit the site and reconnect with the waterfront and the outdoors is the driving force behind our activations, such as the sunflower field, the Discovery Centre, public art installations, and our live summer music series, Sunsets, Sunflowers and Sounds. Throughout 2022, bringing people out to experience the site will continue to be a priority, and we look forward to unveiling some exiting new installations over the course of the year.

The renderings of the pier, among others, look very impressive. How exciting is it to not just be building such an expansive community, but also one with such landmark features?

It’s really exciting to be able to develop this site, which was formerly home to the Lakeview Generating Station known as the Four Sisters smokestacks. Having the opportunity to transform it from its industrial, polluting past into a Green, sustainable future community is an honour. The spectacular 600-metre pier that juts out into Lake Ontario was historically inaccessible to the public, used only to carry coal from cargo ships to the station.

Since we purchased the lands in 2018, we’ve made it our mission to transform the site into a community that is built for the future, one that meets the needs of environmentally focused society, while reconnecting residents to the waterfront for the first time in decades.
Through revitalizing the pier, excavating and donating the debris from the demolished station to the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area, building a sustainable community from the ground up, and bringing the natural ecosystem back to this area through diligent restoration efforts, we’re collectively reclaiming this history and turning it into something positive.

mylakeviewvillage.com

AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE...

How have you managed during the pandemic? Taken on any new hobbies or acquired new skills?

It’s certainly been a difficult adjustment, especially with my partner and I both working primarily from home while caring for two young children, and managing the intricacies of virtual education.

Like so many others, I’ve made it a priority to get outdoors, exercise and connect with nature, which has simultaneously made me realize how essential it is to live in a community that makes it easy and safe to enjoy runs, bike rides or walks with the family. Tapping into those core values and priorities has made working on Lakeview so much more rewarding, because it will deliver opportunities for being active outdoors, connecting to nature, and having fun with the people who matter most.

What, or who, is your greatest inspiration for what you do?

It may sound cliche, but honestly, my kids. They’re so young, yet so passionate, and I want to play a part in safeguarding their future. In so many ways, my kids – the future generation homeowners and changemakers – are the inspiration behind what I do.
Ensuring that the mark we leave, and the places we create, are forward-thinking, sustainable and promote genuine connections to the surrounding environment, is absolutely critical.

What’s on your reading lists these days?

Ha… well, outside of the children’s books, I’ve been mostly consumed by technical reports, development plans and other materials related to Lakeview Village. But come back to me in 15 years, and I may have a recommendation for you.