Thank you for your participation!
The Outcome
Following the County’s purchase of 2 Beverly Street West in St. George, Council directed that a public engagement process be held to see if the public had any concerns with the County’s plan to demolish the automotive repair shop on the property. An additional option noting that the eastern half of the building was first built as a Supertest gas station in the 1930s that could be kept and renovated was raised, and the consultation requested the public’s comments regarding the proposals and how the site would be redeveloped.
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Thank you for your participation!
The Outcome
Following the County’s purchase of 2 Beverly Street West in St. George, Council directed that a public engagement process be held to see if the public had any concerns with the County’s plan to demolish the automotive repair shop on the property. An additional option noting that the eastern half of the building was first built as a Supertest gas station in the 1930s that could be kept and renovated was raised, and the consultation requested the public’s comments regarding the proposals and how the site would be redeveloped.
Following the end of the public consultation period, it was determined that the public preferred the original option to demolish the buildings, create a larger parking lot, and beautify the area with 64% of those commenting in favour of this option, and 30% in favour of keeping the Supertest station. 84% of those who responded regarding additional parking wished to see more parking in downtown St. George, and 53% of people who mentioned whether or not they wanted to keep the building were in favour. County staff put together cost estimates that determined that parking lot option would cost about $397,000, while the option to keep and restore the building would cost about $757,000.
In support of the public’s comments, County staff recommend that Committee and Council approve Option 1 to demolish the existing buildings, create a larger parking lot, and beautify the area.
County of Brant Council is seeking input on the future of the property of 2 Beverly Street West located on the southwestern corner of the intersection of Beverly Street West and Main Street South in the Village of St. George. The County of Brant acquired the property in October 2021 as it frequently reviews properties that come for sale in areas of strategic value to the County and its citizens, in this case the main intersection in St. George.
The Site
According to research undertaken by the South Dumfries Historical Society and County staff, the site now known as 2 Beverly Street West was originally developed in 1834 as a wagon works, which eventually became the Snowball Wagon Works and the Jackson Wagon Works. In the early 1930s the land was acquired by the Department of Highways to complete the construction of Highway 5 through the Village, and rest of the land not needed for the highway’s construction was acquired by Supertest Petroleum Corporation Limited. In the mid-1930s Supertest constructed a gas station and lunch counter on the site until it became an automotive repair shop. A large garage was added to the structure in the late 1970s and associated modifications have been made to the building from its original construction.
Where We Are
This public engagement process is the first step towards determining the future use of the property.
The County acquired the property with a view to redeveloping it to provide additional parking and to enhance the main intersection and commercial core of St. George with a parkette and additional green space. Since the acquisition, other options for the future use of the site have been identified, including keeping a portion of the existing building and restoring it to look like the original Supertest station, for community uses.
Pictures are also available in the photos section of this page. This section is located on the bottom of this page if you are on a mobile phone or tablet.
Engage with Us!
County staff prepared drawings to outline the site, and what it may look like following its redevelopment. Before that happens, we wanted to hear from you. Comments were gathered about what you would like the site to look like.
The opinions expressed by community members were compiled and considered by County staff when making a recommendation to County Council on the future use of the property which happened in March 2022.
Proposed Option - Parking Lot Concept Outline.pdf (10.8 MB) (pdf)
I would support the Proposed Option to redevelop the property as a very much needed parking lot with landscaping to soften the optics. Remove all existing buildings on the property as they are an eyesore. Refurbishing part of the original building will be very costly for tax payers with ongoing maintenance and not a good use of the space. Closing the access from Main St S is a very good idea, limiting entrance for parking from Beverly St W. A town clock would be a welcome additional feature. The town of Ancaster has a similar parking/parkette/town clock in the center of their town and it looks fabulous! Let's beautify St. George for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike!
I like the Parking Lot Concept Option and the park bench seating area at the corner is a great idea.
Not sure if everyone has see the photos on the right ----------------------------------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I kind of wish we could vote one them. Both are great for the town, I would lean more towards keeping and restoring the SuperTest station and have it as a mix use and or Information station for the county and St. George.
Increase the green space and parkette and add to the parking spaces available.
Parking is the obvious choice, and for good reason. I get the appeal to mix it with greenspace but realistically it is right next to an existing park that could be modified to include more seating area and nicer scenery - there's no need to add more park space right next to the existing park. Vehicle parking is a huge issue downtown and causes lots of safety concerns with the road parking and pedestrians. Add EV chargers to keep things modern and provide a better access to the adjacent park (right now no sidewalk leads there).
St. George resident for over 30 years. Parking would be my first recommendation, seating, some planters and large garbage bins for local businesses that don’t have space for their own large bins. If we increase the parking we will increase business thus increase garbage and with that rodents and scavengers. So I think to keep things cleaner decreasing the amount of garbage on the street on a regular collection day may be beneficial to the community. And of course some sort of space for a local farmers market in the snowball park area would be a great asset to tourism and community growth and promotion of our farming community.
I think we should make an information building for the town, have our local clubs run out of it (ex garden, historic, etc) allow a gift shop with town merchandise
I grew up in St. G and that is the main corner with the most traffic and highest visibility. I think mixed-use retail and food plaza would suit the area, with outdoor seating and parking. Ideally, filled with the businesses missing most in the village. Maybe it's a quaint coffee, baked goods, and lunch spot that doubles as a take out/catering/delivery (nothing franchised). Look up Greek Market Cafe in Richmond Hill - that kind of family feel with lively ambiance. A pavilion is a nice idea for sure with planters! A parking lot on that corner is a real eyesore, and a waste of prime space - find another spot for that.
We desperately need more parking downtown. I’d love to see the end closest to Main St. have more parking. The end closer to snowball park could have more seating and an area to support community events at snowball park (bring power & water, maybe public washrooms and a covered pavilion area). Adding these services will add to Applefest and any future community events (maybe a Christmas festival or Farmers Market)
In order to support downtown businesses, the current parking situation needs to be addressed. This is likely the only time this opportunity will come up. A serviced parking lot designed such that it can also be utilized for a farmers market or other outdoor events would be a great addition.
What drew us to St. George was the quaint village feel. It’s important to maintain that. Would like to see a pop up market space along with seating and planters.
I agree with more parking and a nice sitting area. A place for food trucks or portable market would be great.
I suggest something that incorporates everyone’s needs. Something that can be used as parking but also be easily transformed to be an outdoor farm market area and place with surrounding blossom trees and planters. So it could be beautiful and functional. It could host a small farmers market once a week in spring, summer and fall and be parking with surrounding trees and flowers to enhance the businesses the remainder of the week.
I had a booth at the Classic Vault and a constant complaint from customers was parking. To make it appealing on the corner some raised planters with attached park benches would be nice.
St George needs more parking for the downtown area. Lack of parking prevents people from going downtown to restaurants and businesses. The entire downtown area is an historical site and we don’t need more. The building in question is an eyesore and in disrepair. The historical society likely doesn’t have the funds to do the work needed and the cost would fall on the county. There are 2 parks within steps of this site which are sufficient.
Resident of 15 years. St George is a gorgeous little town…putting a big parking lot on the downtown corner is not going to contribute to the beauty of the town. IMO. Why not add a little picturesque area. Something to draw tourism in the spring. Cherry blossom trees with a few benches. Maybe some parking at the far end, but we don’t need a ton. There is plenty of street parking and the lot by the post office. We have apple fest in the fall…let’s find something to draw tourism for the spring too.
Adding more parking in the downtown would be very beneficial for the businesses and restaurants there! St George does not need more places for community events, parking is more important and more cost effective now and in the long run. Having access from both Beverly and Main St would be ideal!
The plan to keep a portion, seems like a great idea for take out cafe/bakery.
I been living in st George for 20 years and love eating downtown st George. But no parking!! Give us and visitors somewhere to park. Just my opinion. Thanks
The parking lot greenspace concept is attractive. I would encourage that a second entrance/exit be on Main Street as well just as it is today.