The validation phase of the project began in Fall 2025 and includes developing the project scope, preliminary design, costing, and schedule.

Once the validation report is approved by Kitchener City Council and Kitchener Housing Inc. (KHI), the detailed design and permit submissions will take place. It is anticipated that a building permit will be issued in Fall 2026.

Early site works are anticipated to begin in Fall 2026 with building construction beginning in Q2 2027.

The goal of any fire service is to ensure an efficient and effective response to its community.

Kitchener’s population in the downtown core is growing. A new station is required to meet regulatory response standards and to arrive at the scene of a fire or emergency incident as quickly as possible.

Funding for this project comes from previously announced grants by the federal and provincial governments, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and development charge revenues. This means the facility’s construction will have no impact on municipal taxes.

The project aims to:

• Add more housing, especially affordable housing by offering a mix of unit types supporting the City’s housing goals.

• Use land near transit more efficiently

• Build a complete community with homes, services, and public space

• Improve emergency services with a new fire station

Beyond the new downtown fire station, this mixed-use building will also include 19-storeys and approximately 280 rental units.

The property will include:

• 10 parking spaces for fire station use

• Short term parking for drop-offs and deliveries

• Indoor loading bay for garbage trucks, moving trucks and maintenance vehicles.

The residential component of this project is being designed with no dedicated resident parking. Like all developments in Major Transit Station Areas, no parking is required due to the property’s proximity to an ION station and several bus routes. The site is also near several cycling routes and extensive bike parking (about 300 spaces) will be provided on site. This location is also highly walkable, with many shops, restaurants, services, and schools within a close distance.

KHI will match tenants requiring personal parking spaces to other housing within their portfolio, where parking is available. Their staff will park at nearby municipal parking lots and garages.

Staff are working with the design team to improve the visitor/short team parking on site.

We don’t expect a significant increase in traffic due to the low number of parking spaces and access to public and active transportation options in the area.

In additional to the private indoor, outdoor and roof top amenity area for the residents, the project includes:

• A public plaza

• New landscaping and trees

• An indoor community room

• Public art

Fire stations are commonly located within residential and mixed‑use areas for faster emergency response and public safety.

Kitchener Fire staff use standard noise mitigation strategies to help lessen impacts on neighbours, including sirens not always being used when leaving the station. Traffic lights will also help open or clear roadways for trucks once dispatched.

The City of Kitchener will inform residents in the neighbourhood of planned closures of roadways, sidewalks or access to public transit through website updates and signage.

• City of Kitchener (Project Lead)
• Bird Construction (General Contractor)
• Colliers Project Leaders (Facilitator)
• Conestogo Mechanical (Electrical Trader)
• Group2 Architecture Interior Design (Architect)
• McCallumSather (Lead Architect)
• RJC Engineers (Structural Consultant)
• WalterFedy (Mechanical Consultant)
• WSP (Electrical Consultant)