Region buys land in Breslau for future GO station, affordable housing

The Region of Waterloo has spent $15 million to purchase"a strategic parcel of land" in Breslaufor a potential future GO station and affordable housing.

The site is located on Fountain Street and is beside the rail line, which was been upgraded recently.

In an announcement Thursday, the region said the site is ideal for medium and high-density affordable housing and other amenities while also being close to transit.

The former Liberal provincial government announced a GO station was planned for Breslauin 2016. The station would be along the Kitchener GO line.

Regional Chair Karen Redman said that these kinds of projects take time.

"It's complicated," she told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. "We're looking at a partnership with Metrolinx and that is an important partnership on how we move forward with these large infrastructure programs. But it does complicate things."

Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantzsaidthis project was initially announced during her first term as mayor.

"Woolwich... is going to double in size by 2050 and the town of Breslau will triple in size," she said.

"It's very exciting," she said. "This is a plan for their future with the airport, andpotentially down the road a connection to Pearson [airport] and also to the GTA."

The affordable housing proposed in the announcement would be centred around the station, which Shantz said "is basically what's intended for transit corridors."

Kitchener-Conestoga MPPand Minister of Red Tape Reduction Mike Harris said the project will see the township and region work together with the federal government, provincial government and Metrolinx, the agency that operates GO Transit.

"Increasing transportation and housing options for residents of Waterloo region will support the growth our community needs, opening more opportunities and access for work, education and recreation," he said in a release.