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City Council has approved next steps for the proposed demolition of a large portion of the former General Electric complex at 107 Park Street North, while leaving open the possibility of protecting select buildings.
Council acknowledged receipt of GEPR Energy Canada Inc.’s notice of intent to demolish roughly 84,500 square metres (910,000 square feet) of industrial space, but indicated it has no interest in pursuing heritage designation for most of the site. Certain buildings will be reviewed for potential protection with guidance from the Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee.
Staff will also report back with a health and safety plan to evaluate the impact of the site and demolition on surrounding areas. Council has until November 7 to decide whether to issue a notice of intention to designate any portion of the property under the Ontario Heritage Act; without such designation, demolition may proceed under applicable law.
The Heritage Impact Assessment submitted by GE Vernova, prepared by ERA Architects Inc., recommends measures to preserve key heritage elements while accommodating demolition. The report concludes the plan appropriately conserves the site’s cultural heritage value and follows Canadian best practices for heritage conservation.
Built beginning in 1891, the GE complex covers about 104,000 square metres (1.1 million square feet) and reflects late Victorian industrial design. Most of the buildings have been vacant since 2018, though roughly 60 GE Vernova employees remain in buildings along Park Street and about 300 BWXT employees occupy structures along Monaghan Road.
The decision reflects council’s intent to balance heritage preservation with redevelopment and public safety considerations, while leaving time to consider additional protective measures before demolition begins.
