Major derailment or minor detour? Region parts ways with King Victoria Transit Hub developer

It's supposed to be the cornerstone of the Region's transit plans, but the King Victoria Transit Hub appears to have hit a bump in the road. 

The Region and the developer slated for the project are parting ways. 

According to the Region what they wanted, and what the developer could deliver, did not match. 

“We've come to the conclusion that our visions aren't aligning in terms of what they would see doing, and what is needed for the site overall, so it's just a conclusion of the process because it's not coming together the way we need it,” said Ellen McGaghey, the Region's Director of Facilities of Fleet Management.

The King Victoria Transit Hub was designed as the focal point of transit in the Region, bringing together ION, GRT, GO Transit, VIA Rail and Greyhound buses in one downtown location. 

The $43 million project is to be fully funded by the Province. 

The Region said they do not expect this set back to affect funding. 

They also said the nearly $3 million already spent is not wasted, 

“We've spent about $3 million on soft costs up to this point, $2.9 million, most of those will be able to be reused in terms of whatever procurement process we go through in the future,” said McGaghey. 

As for timing, McGaghey said it's possible they can still complete the project on the original schedule, 

“There are a number of approaches that would allow us to move forward on virtually the same schedule that we were attending, or we may choose to push some elements of the project off, if it makes sense for the project,” said McGaghey. 

The Region now said they will start looking for a new partner early in 2019.