{"id":9405,"date":"2017-02-06T04:30:24","date_gmt":"2017-02-06T04:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niagaraconstructionnews.com\/?p=9405"},"modified":"2017-02-06T04:31:42","modified_gmt":"2017-02-06T04:31:42","slug":"st-catharines-mayor-walter-sendzik-outlines-state-of-the-city-in-annual-address","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niagaraconstructionnews.com\/?p=9405","title":{"rendered":"St. Catharines mayor Walter Sendzik outlines state of the city in annual address"},"content":{"rendered":"

St. Catharines mayor Walter Sendzik<\/strong> delivered his annual state of the city address on Jan. 26 to an audience of more than 500 at an event hosted by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC).<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The mayor\u2019s presentation highlighted many of the accomplishments of local businesses, entrepreneurs and investors over the past year.<\/p>\n

Continuing a tradition started at his first annual address, Sendzik presented \u2018Team St. Catharines\u2019 awards to three local businesses for their positive contributions to the city.
\nLocal manufacturing firm Haver & Boecker was recognized as a \u2018Legacy Leader\u2019 while development firm Penn Terra and downtown restaurant N\u2019ata Cosa were each recognized as \u2018Future Leaders\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"Ian
Ian Kowalchuck, partner at Merit Contractors and chair of GNCC Board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBy all measures 2016 was a year of growth and change for our city and there is much more to come,\u201d Sendzik said. \u201cThe real estate numbers, construction projects and stories of entrepreneurs and investors show that together with our business community, we are putting St. Catharines on the map as a great place to live, work and invest.”<\/p>\n

Sendzik also provided a look ahead at key priorities including a plan for integrated, user- focused transit service for the region, preparing for daily GO train service and redevelopment sites across the city.<\/p>\n

The mayor announced that the Shickluna hydro generating station, a long-delayed project by St. Catharines Hydro, is no longer a viable investment. In the best interests of the city and hydro rate payers, the green energy project will be cancelled and funds will be reinvested into city programs and services.<\/p>\n

Sendzik spoke about the local real estate boom and growing demand for affordable housing when he announced a new housing action plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no denying that growth in real estate and property values reflect positively on our community, but also creates pressure on homeowners, renters and families,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have to make sure that St. Catharines continues to be an affordable place to live. I am committed to ending homelessness in St. Catharines \u2013 not pushing more people into the margins. Through a new housing action plan I will work together with regional partners, private developers and non-profits and find creative tools and incentives to create attractive and affordable housing that meets our growing and changing needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The City of St. Catharines economic development office also launched a new promotional video shining a spotlight on the diversity of local businesses and new investments that are the cornerstone of a renewed St. Catharines. Below is the video from www.investinstc.ca<\/a><\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n