Years in the making, a former furniture factory in Napanee is poised to get a new lease on life. On Wednesday, more details were released about the proposed condominium development that is meant to rejuvenate downtown Napanee.
Silvercreek Communities and Doornekamp Construction are behind the residential development known as “Gibbard District” to be built on the site of the former Gibbard’s furniture factory.
Nate Doornekamp is with Doornekamp Construction, and says the proposed project includes two condominium towers, retail shops as well as restaurants and a large civic square.
“We open up the sales office Thursday and then it’s predicated on sales. We’d like to be shovel in the ground by the end of 2019 and that’s an expedited schedule. Realistically, 22 to 26 months of hard construction before people move in.”
The Gibbard furniture legacy will not be forgotten as the front corner facade of the old factory will remain, as will the smoke stack and the old mill building.
Marg Isbester is Napanee’s deputy mayor, and she said she couldn’t be happier with the proposed residential and commercial development and what it means for the town.
“Anything like this can only improve it. It causes excitement with the merchants, it causes excitement for investment.”
Isbester says she hopes that this development will spark even more new builds or renovations in the surrounding area.
But before shovels go in the ground, the developer needs to clean up the site and get the necessary zoning and permits.