The last piece of the  Bedford Landing development is about to fall into place now that Township council has approved a heritage alteration permit.

This applies to the commercial building known as the Riverside Centre which was built in the 1970s on the grounds of the Fort Hotel which had been destroyed by fire.

The Riverside Centre was built before council adopted heritage guidelines for the village, but as it falls within the heritage conservation area, renovations must follow the guidelines.

The renovations involve removing the portion of the building that lies south of the breezeway, the intent being to create an expanded open space for a public plaza, leaving intact what is now the Fort Pub and Grill. The tower at the northerly edge will also remain.

A report to council indicates that the plaza will be landscaped with decorative pavers and trees. The area fronts Glover Road, immediately north of the railway tracks and Billy Brown Road.

This commercial project completes ParkLane Homes’ Bedford Landing project. The final residential component, apartment blocks in the southeast corner of the development, are under construction.

When these are occupied, the population of the development, which comprises single family homes, townhouses and condos and apartments, will be between 900 and 950.