High-rise project near Kingston waterfront delayed over contamination concerns

Officials say they need more time to review environmental issues tied to the site’s industrial past.

A proposed 19-storey high-rise near Kingston’s downtown waterfront has been delayed due to contamination concerns.

Homestead Land Holdings Ltd. wants to build the tower at 5 Lower Union Street, next to the Great Lakes Museum. City planners supported the project but removed it from the March 20 Planning Committee agenda at the last minute.

Officials say they need more time to review environmental issues tied to the site’s industrial past. The land, once a shipyard, contains contaminants like petroleum hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals. 

Before construction, the developer must obtain a Record of Site Condition to change the zoning from industrial to residential. A new report is expected by August 31, 2025. 

Some residents continue to oppose the project, citing concerns over the tower’s height and its impact on Kingston’s waterfront.

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