Construction is underway on a multi-purpose development on the corner of University Avenue and William Street, planned and approved by the City last year.

The lot, formerly occupied by Freddie’s Grocery, has been vacant for over a year now.

The development will feature a three-story, mixed-use building, consisting of 180 square metres of commercial space on the ground floor and eight residential units on the second and third floors.

The applicant is currently working with the City’s Building Division to ensure that the development is compliant with the Ontario Building Code.

In an email from Jason Sands, the Intermediate Planner for the City of Kingston, he explained that they faced many challenges when planning the development.

“Maintaining the mixed-use (residential and commercial) components of the subject properties had to be reviewed to ensure the uses were compatible,” Sands wrote.

The development was also required to “maintain the character of the surrounding neighborhood”, meaning it would have been restricted in height.

Another challenge was that no on-site parking was requested in the original plan, which Sands said potentially encumbers the commercial and residential uses proposed.

A completion date for the project has not yet been set.