Groundbreaking kicks off 567 dwelling unit subdivision in Essex Centre
by Sylene Argent
When developer Remo Valente first pitched the idea of creating a 500 plus subdivision in Essex Centre to his son, Peter, several years ago, Peter was less than enthusiastic about the idea. As a result of years of work, however, staff with the Town of Essex and representatives of Valente held a ceremony to break ground for the Essex Town Centre subdivision last week.
“I didn’t love the plan at first, now I love it,” Peter admitted, shovel in hand at the Maidstone Avenue construction site.
“My father had the vision to buy the property. It is not easy to build a subdivision of this size,” Peter said. “The Town of Essex has been so wonderful to work with.”
Although work is in the preliminary stages, Peter noted up to 500 individuals have inquired about housing, of which around 70 percent were from out-of-town. “We are excited to bring this to the Town of Essex…this will put Essex on the map and shine a light on the community.”
As part of the project, 567 residential units are planned for the site, including single family dwellings, semi-detached units, and townhomes. The first two phases, currently under construction, will add 135 townhomes and 19 single family homes to the community.
Essex Mayor Larry Snively said staff of the Town of Essex, in addition to himself and Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche, worked hard to bring this development into Essex.
“What an accomplishment,” he said, adding attracting housing development has been a top priority for this Term of Council, since day one.
He thanked Valente for continuing to choose Essex to build.
The development represents a $350 million investment in the Town of Essex, in terms of the total value of the development, once it has been constructed.
Peter, who is President of the Valente Corporation, added being able to tap into the Town of Essex’s Front-End Financing program was helpful in overcoming challenges.
The agreement allows the Town to provide assistance, or front-end financing, in the form of a loan, in order to assist with the up-front costs that are required by the developer to build the infrastructure the developer is responsible for implementing, pursuant through the Subdivision Agreement.