CaDCR staff writer
Two transformative projects in Welland earned top honours at the 2024 Brownie Awards, presented by the Canadian Urban Institute in partnership with the Canadian Brownfields Network and Actual Media, highlight innovation and collaboration in turning brownfield sites into vibrant residential and commercial hubs.
Founded in 2001 by the Canadian Urban Institute, the Brownie Awards recognize the innovative efforts of professionals who rehabilitate sites that were once contaminated, under-utilized, and undeveloped by remaking them into productive residential and commercial projects that contribute to the growth of healthy communities across Canada.
Welland’s achievements included the Canals Development by Empire Communities was awarded in the Renew: Project Development at the Neighbourhood Scale category, while the Union Carbide Property Regeneration by REGEN earned recognition as the Best Large Project.
“The recognition of these projects showcases how innovation and strong partnerships can reshape our urban landscape,” said Nicolas Aiello, manager of policy planning. “Each of these projects are benefitting from the City’s Community Improvement Plan incentives, reaffirming Welland’s commitment to redevelopment projects that benefit both the environment and the community.”
The Canals Development, led by Empire Communities, transformed a neglected site into a flourishing residential community.
“This award underscores the value of working hand-in-hand with the City of Welland to create a community that offers a blend of history, connectivity, and modern living. We’re honoured to see our collective efforts celebrated on a national stage,” said Matthew Forezli of Empire Communities.
The Union Carbide Property Regeneration, spearheaded by REGEN, reimagined a once-contaminated industrial site into a dynamic, multi-use space, highlighting how thoughtful remediation and design can fuel economic growth and community vitality.
2024 Brownie Award winners include:
REMEDIATE: Sustainable Remediation – Vivenda Remediation and Development Project, Montréal, Quebec
- The MELCCFP approved the remediation plan as part of a voluntary remedial program with retention of contamination on-site, including excavation, in-situ treatment and risk assessment with mitigation measures. This approach with the MELCCFP allowed the construction of a condominium building simultaneously with the remediation work.
- Project Team: Vivenda, Sanexen Environmental Services Inc., Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs.
REMEDIATE: Technological Innovation – Anaerobic Bioremediation Facilitates Site Redevelopment, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- All soil and groundwater were remediated through anaerobic bioremediation below ground surface on the Site itself. Offsite disposal was entirely avoided. A customized mix of solid and liquid amendments containing micro and macronutrients was mixed into the contaminated soils with an excavator as fine-grained soils made injection methods impractical. Overall remediation costs were approximately 90% less when compared to excavate and remove estimates.
- Project Team: R Squared Environmental Inc., Aggressive Outdoor Services Inc., Saskatoon Cooperative Association Ltd., Northstar Innovative Developments Inc., City of Saskatoon.
RESTRATEGIZE: Partnerships and Community Engagement – Sp’akw’us Feather Park – Squamish, British Columbia
- The Park was designed to promote the cultural restoration of the area with significant input, support, and knowledge sharing from the Squamish First Nation. The use of the land in this regard required outside the box thinking to remediate associated exposures. The order to remediate was implemented twenty-five years ago and ongoing management has seen significant reductions in impacts.
- Project Team: Matthews West, Stantec, District of Squamish, Squamish Nation.
REBUILD: Project Development at the Building Scale – Wonder Condos – Toronto
- Careful consideration was required to connect the old and new structure while offering opportunities to provide planted, wider public sidewalks and connectivity to the surrounding area with a green courtyard space off the mid-block public laneway. What was once a moderately contaminated industrial site, is now a complex of homes in a re-adapted heritage building.
- Project Team: Diamond Schmitt, GBCA, Greywood, Alterra, Entuitive
RENEW: Project Development at the Neighbourhood Scale – Canals Development, Welland
- This project transforms two historic Brownfield properties with extensive contamination into a vibrant residential community, with several parks and trails along the Welland Canal, aligning community features including a state-of-the-art sports facility and many parks/trails, to the City’s vision. The development also looked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reusing soil between the two properties and reducing the amount that needs to be landfilled or moved off-site.
- Project Team: Empire Communities, Armstrong Planning, EXP Services Inc., YORK1, MBTW.
REFOCUS: Vision of Alternative Benefits to Brownfields Remediation – Radiance Co-Housing, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- This project transformed a decades-old vacant land into sustainable, ecological housing. This project is a leader in terms of solar, landscaping, and passive housing in harsh climates.
- Project Team: Radiance Cohousing Development Company, BLDG Studio, Renew Development Cooperative.
BEST SMALL PROJECT – Alberta Environment & Protected Areas Guide to Excluding the Domestic Use Aquifer based on Municipal Bylaws (Guide, 2022) – Calgary, Alberta
- Project Team: City of Calgary, AB Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA), City of Edmonton, Alberta Municipalities Association, Canadian Fuels Association.
BEST LARGE PROJECT – Union Carbide Property Regeneration, Welland
- This project aimed to restore a 300-acre site located in a town hit hard by economic layoffs and overseas outsourcing in the 1990s, a unique opportunity for new local jobs and investment, triggering new business and growth opportunities throughout the region and Ontario.
- Project Team: King and Benton Redevelopment Corporation
BEST OVERALL PROJECT – Richmond Industrial Centre Development, Richmond, British Columbia
- Montrose Properties started in 2009 and took a long-term perspective and invested the time and resources to overcome the challenges of redeveloping the site while continuing to operate the landfill. The first building was constructed more than 10 years later, in 2020, with full build-out expected in 10 to 15 years. This long-term project shows our commitment to investing in much-needed industrial space to generate jobs and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
- Project Team: Montrose Properties, PGL Environmental Consultants, City of Richmond, BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Omicron.
25th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION: Outstanding Achievement in Brownfield Advancement – Federal Contaminated Sites Remediation Projects in Nunavut
- Projects are considered good examples of long-term dedication to brownfield remediation, and development. QC has successfully overcome the challenges that come with working in remote sites with harsh weather conditions with limited resources. The results were very positive as the traditional hunting grounds could be used again by Inuit communities.
- Project Team: Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, Qikiqtani Logistics Inc., Sanexen Environmental Services, Defence Construction Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
