Cambridge resident starts GoFundMe to challenge Preston Springs development
Posted Mar 27, 2025 03:31:51 PM.
Last Updated Mar 27, 2025 03:31:56 PM.
A GoFundMe has been started to help pay for legal fees for the appeal of a development at the site of the former Preston Springs Hotel.
Glen Nyhus, the organizer of the fundraiser, said he represents around 200 homeowners in the area of the proposed development at Fountain and King streets. He spoke with The Mike Farwell Show on Thursday and said the four main concerns with the development include traffic, density, compatibility with the surrounding neighbourhood, and access to Abraham Street.
The page aims to raise $30,000 and reach their goal of $50,000 to help pay for an urban planner, a traffic consultant, and a heritage consultant. Nyhus said they want to reduce the size of the proposed development.
“I’m actually for housing,” said Nyhus. “I would prefer for something to be built there. I’m totally in favour of up to 250 or less than 300 units.”
Cambridge council put limits on the proposed development last year by reducing the number of towers from three to two, capping the height at 15 storeys and the number of units from around 750 to 640. The developer has since filed an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal looking to overturn the motion.
Nyhus said the deadline for donations on the page is on April 14 since it is the day they need to list their expert witnesses.
The appeal is set to be heard by the land tribunal in October.
The Preston Springs Hotel was demolished in December 2020 due to ongoing safety issues. It’s heritage designation was removed by the city in September 2022. It was first built in 1888.
