Confirmed: It’s an Amazon site

Cambridge mayor touts economic boost from million-square-foot fulfilment centre in Blair

For the first time since the project was announced, Mayor Kathryn McGarry can speak publicly about an Amazon fulfilment centre under construction in the Village of Blair.

“This is an incredible economic boost for Cambridge with more than 1,000 jobs,” McGarry said on Wednesday.

City councillors listened to all sides on all issues, but wanted the massive warehouse project to move forward because of the property taxes it will generate, the construction jobs and the enduring economic impact of a big workforce, she said.

Amazon spokesperson Dave Bauer confirmed Amazon is behind the construction project at 140 Old Mill Rd. in Blair for a warehouse with one million square feet of space and up to 232 trucks a night coming and going. It is scheduled to open in 2025.

The fulfilment centre has been among the worst kept secrets in Waterloo Region since the developer of the project, Montreal-based Broccolini, became known. In addition to the Amazon warehouse in Blair, Broccolini has finished or is working on about 12 other Amazon buildings around Ontario and Quebec.

“This is something that will benefit absolutely everyone in our community, and add to the economic prosperity in so many ways,” said McGarry.

Since it was announced, the Amazon project has been controversial.

A ministerial zoning order, or MZO, was requested in April 2021 by the developer to ensure approval of the warehouse. MZOs are provincial orders that override the traditional zoning process.

Many residents of the river-side village full of historic homes opposed the coming of Amazon and the use of the MZO.

In the face of opposition, the province delayed approving the MZO and eventually said the city could make the final decision on the project.

In May of this year, council cleared the way for the project to go ahead.

The mayor defended the council’s support for the warehouse, saying elected officials must consider everyone’s needs in the city, not just the residents of Blair.

Cambridge has plans for major expenditures on sports facilities and recreation, and increasing demands for social services. Tax revenues from the big warehouse will help pay for all of that, she said.

“I am proud of Cambridge council which has stood up for the good of all of Cambridge,” said McGarry.

“We are excited to see opportunities moving ahead.

“I think the long-term investment is good for our community.”

The Amazon fulfilment centre will be close to Highway 401, and Broccolini has agreed to limit nighttime truck traffic to 232 vehicles, less than what the community had agreed to in 2015 when the area was rezoned for industrial use, said the mayor.

“I think the developer, Broccolini,

has listened to the concerns of residents and has made some concessions,” said McGarry.

Broccolini agreed to increase the height of a berm , add more trees and have a “growing-green wall” on the exterior of the massive building that faces the nearby highway. For about 30 years, city and regional official plans identified the area as “employment lands.”

“And this is the right site, this is the right project,” said McGarry. “In the end, people will accept that this has generated revenue for the City of Cambridge.”

The developer is also behind Amazon facilities in London, Whitby, Ottawa.