For years, the main landmark of eastern Mississauga's primarily industrial waterfront were the quadruple smokestacks of Ontario Power Generation's Lakeview Generating Station, known by locals as "the four sisters". Despite being a well known navigation point, the aging coal-burning power plant was taken out of commission in 2005, after 43 years of service, and the plant was demolished between 2006 and 2007 to make way for a re-envisioned district which has come to be known as Inspiration Lakeview. On May 15th the team behind the proposed waterfront redevelopment project hosted a community update to share the latest draft of the Inspiration Lakeview Master Plan, revised after comments following a public meeting held this past March.

Revised Master Plan for Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

The plan will see a complete revitalization of the Lakeview plant and surrounding neighbourhoods, following eight core principals that define the project; Link - connect the City and the water, Open - open the site with accessible public spaces for all, Green - create a green, sustainable innovative model community, Vibrant - create a mixed-use community affordable and welcoming to all, Connect - provide multiple ways to get around; transit, walking, cycling, Destination - create a special place to draw visitors, Remember - commemorate history while creating a new legacy, Viable - balance public & private invest to be economically sustainable

Core principles of the Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

The sustainable master plan calls for the implementation of a continuous, walkable waterfront, a network of natural blue and green spaces, a fine grain street pattern, the addition of public transit to the area, a cultural hub at the head of the piers, and an employment/innovation corridor. 

Land use in the Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

The inclusion of residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and public spaces will allow residents to live, work and play in the same neighbourhood, a major step forward in sustainability for the car-centric city of Mississauga.

Land use in the Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

Inspiration Lakeview will be adding between 7,500 and 8,000 units to the area, with the primary built form as mid-rise residential making up 55% of proposed housing. Taller buildings measuring up to 15 storeys will make up approximately 25% of proposed housing while stacked townhouses will round out the list at 20%.

Height map for the Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

Inspiration Lakeview will be divided up into six individual communities;

  1. Rangeview Estates will be a low-rise residential neighbourhood centred around Rangeview Square public park, the “heart” of the community.
  2. Lakeshore Neighbourhood will be situated along Lakeshore Road, and will contain a small retail node called “Ogden Corners” as well as a plaza at Lakeshore serving as an active gateway to the community. 
  3. To the east, Serson Place Innovation Corridor will offer a high-tech green campus for employment. 
  4. Ogden Village will serve as the centre of the community with higher density residential land uses utilizing retail and commercial uses at-grade.
  5. At the south end of the redevelopment site, a Cultural Quarter will be comprised of a mix of residential, commercial and cultural uses, including a 4-acre Cultural Hub and a diverse, passive and active waterfront.
  6. To the east, Serson Campus will be home to a waterfront post-secondary institutional campus, with connections to the proposed open space network, waterfront and Coal Hill performance stage.

Neighbourhood map for the Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

The redevelopment plans will be implemented in three phases, each of which is outlined in the images included below.

Phase One of the Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

Phase Two of the Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

Phase Three of the Inspiration Lakeview redevelopment, image courtesy of the City of Mississauga

Before the plans see implementation, additional studies must be carried out, as well as statutory planning and technical agreements amongst landowners. The revised Master Plan is still yet to be finalized, and public involvement is still encouraged before the final plans are unveiled next month. Send comments back to the Inspiration Lakeview Team by May 23, 2014 using this link. Of course, you are all invited to get in on the conversation in our Forum thread for the project, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.