ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PICKERING

Economic Development in PickeringSTORY BY: Lois Tuffin | PHOTOS COURTESY OF: City of Pickering

There are ample reasons why residents choose Pickering to work, play, and grow.

Pickering is invested in a number of transformational projects, including areas like its waterfront, downtown, and the innovation corridor. It is affordable while still offering access to state-of-theart amenities, a mix of small, local businesses yet also all major retail and franchises.

Just ask Fiaz Jadoon, the Director of Economic Development and Strategic Projects.

He is particularly excited and passionate about the potential arising from the redevelopment of Pickering’s City Centre.

“It will revitalize the core of Pickering and create a major hub in the Greater Toronto Area,” he says. “Pickering’s City Centre is undergoing a bold transformation that will see an exciting array of new, state-of-theart buildings and municipal facilities.”

This $200M development alone will add a performing arts centre, a relocated and expanded central library, a combined seniors’ and youth centre, three condominium towers, a hotel, and a vibrant public square. The development will complement the existing transportation hub at the heart of a vibrant, connected, and engaged community.

The project arises from a partnership with OPB Realty Inc. and focuses on the land on the east side of the mall and immediately south of The Esplanade South. Demolition of the east side of the mall has been completed as the next phase takes shape. The City aims to build on this momentum to see even more vital businesses and services to complement the expected growth in City Centre, Fiaz adds.

“Pickering is experiencing significant growth and it is important that we continuously evolve and adapt to the needs of our community,” Fiaz says.

Fiaz Jadoon, Director of Economic Development and Strategic Projects.

“Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed a lot of businesses deeply struggle and we look forward to the next phase,” he says. “We are proud of the ‘shop local’ and community support from businesses and residents. We are also happy to see all the investments and new businesses that opened in the community during the pandemic. They are a testament that the City of Pickering is the place to be.”

Pickering saw more than $600M in construction value in 2020 and is on track to see similar results in 2021. Even bigger things are coming, Fiaz adds, since many greenfield and development opportunities still abound within its borders.

For example, the Innovation Corridor, located along Highway 7 and 407, has more than 800 acres of prestige employment lands.

As the population grows and more businesses are moving to Pickering, it’s becoming a city where residents can live, work, and play

One of the notable new developments is the Canadian headquarters for Kubota Canada Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer of construction equipment, which will bring more than 200 jobs to the city. The City of Pickering is working closely with Infrastructure Ontario to find and welcome the ideal partners to the community.

“As the population grows and more businesses are moving to Pickering, it’s becoming a city where residents can live, work, and play,” Fiaz says. “A key piece of this is bringing health care closer to home for residents in Pickering and Durham Region.”

In 2019, Lakeridge Health began developing its master plan to map out the next 25 years of health care in Durham. It identified the need for a new acute care hospital to address the needs of the community. The City of Pickering is proposing a site at Salem Road and Highway 407, which is being generously donated by a local developer to Lakeridge Health.

The City recently invited residents to provide feedback on their experiences, hopes, and ideas for the Lake Ontario waterfront as it continues its long-term planning and vision for this integral area. The goal is to enhance its use so everyone can enjoy, enhance, and protect it for generations to come.

Looking ahead, the Seaton Community will be the most impactful development in the coming years, Fiaz says. It combines residential, employment, and commercial components into one of the largest developments in Ontario. This makes this city even more connected via major highways, in addition to transit and rail, to jobs and shopping in York Region and Toronto.

The federally proposed Pickering Airport site is expected to spur significant economic development and job creation in the city and across Durham Region. This significant infrastructure project will be the single largest economic catalyst and could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment for aeronautic, transportation/logistics, high-tech, and other innovative sectors, says Fiaz. The City continues to listen to all stakeholders as those plans come together.

Considering moving your business to Pickering or simply wanting more clarity on a project or development proposal? Fiaz and his team would love to tell you more about what makes the City of Pickering unique and to provide factual information. The Economic Development and Strategic Projects Office is here to provide accurate, up-to-date information to all residents and businesses. Call 905.420.4625 to talk about your future and how it fits in with this growing, vibrant community.