Duane Hicks
There’s plenty of interest in new residential developments in Fort Frances.
At least 100 people attended Syncor Contracting’s open house last Wednesday night at the Copper River Inn to check out plans for a new townhome development on Front Street and lots at the Huffman Court subdivision.
“We were actually overwhelmed,” admitted Syncor spokesperson Len Smart, noting the turnout far exceeded even the most optimistic of predictions among organizers.
“There were some really serious people,” he added.
“In fact, we’ve got a couple verbal commitments already.”
Smart said he’s confident that by the end of this week, Syncor “will be really pleased with the way things are turning out.”
The only downside was Smart and Syncor owner Don DeMichele didn’t have enough time to speak with everyone who came out for the open house.
Smart said those who missed last Wednesday’s open house, or who did attend but didn’t get a chance to speak with Syncor reps, are urged to drop by its booth at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business & Community Expo this Friday and Saturday at the Fort Frances Curling Club.
As previously reported, Syncor bought land on Front Street to develop townhomes, and also optioned 12 of the 16 lots at Huffman Court to build houses there for interested buyers.
Interest in the Front Street townhomes and the Huffman Court subdivision lots was equal at the open house, noted Smart.
He feels the public’s interest is driven by “the optimism that New Gold is coming to town.”
“People are probably thinking, ‘If we’re going to sell our house and make a move, let’s do it now when house prices are probably going to be going up,’” he remarked.
“It’s opening the door for a lot of people to downsize, have something new, have something that’s exactly what they want, and be able to lock the door and go south,” added Smart.
“I really believe that before this is all over, it’s going to be New Gold that is going to be driving a lot of the home development in Fort Frances.”
Referring specifically to the Huffman Curt subdivision, Smart said, “I think that people who have always wanted to build have finally got an opportunity with a builder in town that is a certified, home-warranty builder.”
“You can’t go to the bank and borrow money to build your own home anymore,” he noted.
“They just don’t do it. You’ve got to be certified.”
Smart also said those who spoke with him and DeMichele “felt pretty comfortable with what we had to say.”
Meanwhile, those who attended the open house were excited by the proposed residential developments.
“Any development within the Town of Fort Frances is positive because it’s going to bring up the tax base for the town,” reasoned Shanda DeGagne-Begin.
“And I think with New Gold coming, they have a lot of people coming in, so it’s nice they have options,” she added.
DeGagne-Begin said parts of Fort Frances could look quite different in a year or two with all the new development.
“It’s positive to see change within the town—it’s something to look forward to,” she remarked.
“It’s a brighter future, and there’s ‘new blood’ coming into town, new people.
“We’ll see how many people actually move forward with purchase,” conceded DeGagne-Begin. “[But] I think the fact that Syncor is willing to take the risk in Fort Frances is a good thing.
“They potentially have a lot on the line, as well, so hopefully we see them move forward.”
“Fort Frances needs something like this,” echoed local resident Janis Flewelling while looking over the plans for the riverfront townhomes.
“A lot of ‘baby-boomers’ are aging,” she noted.
Syncor also is looking further ahead to build townhomes on the old Alexander Mackenzie School property on King’s Highway, which is land owned by Steve Both.
But Smart said that likely will have to wait until next year.
“I think that between the townhouses and what we’ll be able to do on the Huffman Court development, and we’ve got a couple commercial developments in the works for Fort Frances, too, I think our plate is full for this year,” he stressed.
“But next year, for sure, we’ll be looking at developing Steve Both’s property,” he pledged.
Smart said this development would be geared to seniors—not necessarily assisted living but with an emphasis on “comfortable living.”
“There were so many people, older couples, that want a new, smaller place on a slab—no basement, no stairs,” Smart noted, referring to what he heard at last Wednesday’s open house.
