Businesses hope Amazon arrival will put Boundary Road on the map

Business operators in Ottawa's east-end where Amazon announced it will construct a massive warehouse say they areoptimistic the online giant will attract money and development to the area.

The online retail giant confirmed Tuesday its plans to build and run a massive distribution centre at 5371 Boundary Rd., near Highway 417.

Once the new one-million-square-foot facility is built, it will employ more than 600 people full-time andbecome a hub for shipping large items such as household furniture,sporting equipment and gardening tools, Amazon said.

• Amazon announces new warehouse in Ottawa's east end

TonyHyneshasrun a heritage-building restoration company from a two-hectare lot near the Amazon construction site since he purchased the commercial land in 2008.

He chose the out-of-the-way site 15 minutes east of downtown Ottawa partly for the affordability of the land, which he needed for storing salvage material like reclaimed brick and lumber.

"It's actually hard to explain where we are to people," saidHynes. "[Now]everyone is going to know where Amazon isthey'll see it from the highway," he said.

He suspects with an employer like Amazon opening up next door, bus service will improve. A workforce in the hundreds might also create a market for hair-dressers, convenience stores, restaurants and other retail operators, he said.

Amazon warehouse could put Ottawa's east-end on the map, residents say

8 years ago

Duration 0:47

The tech giant's arrival could improve services and attract new business to part of the city that is largely undeveloped, residents say.

East-end underdeveloped, says business owner

YvanBourdeauis also optimistic. He and his brothers operate their company YSBHoist which repairs, leases and installs heavy duty hoists used in the construction of multi-storey towers from their property on Boundary Road, which they bought two years ago for $100,000.

He says he hadn't expected development to come to the neighbourhood so quickly.

"Never," Bourdeau said."Thought this place was kind of quiet, and slow-paced."

Many people forget about Ottawa's east-end, Bordeau said, despite theabundance of available industrial and light industrial land.

"I think it's going to bring up the value of the area and make this area look more decent," Bourdeausaid.

Co-worker Ryan Lemire was less optimistic, suggesting the arrival of the Tagger Miller wastefacility would bring down land values.

"I don't think it's really going to do anything it's just going to even each other out," Lemiresaid.

'A magnet for new businesses'

CaroleLavigne, Director of Economic Development for neighbouring Prescott-Russell, said there are 105 commercial land parcels for sale within the municipality.

"We have a lot of opportunities," she said. "This is a magnet for new businesses in Prescott-Russell."

Stanley Crescent, about 6 kilometres south of the proposed warehouse, is one of the closest residential sub-divisions to the site. Long-time residents Hub and Grace Stapper also believe the Amazon announcement will boost the community.

Hub Stapper called his neighbourhood the closest area to downtown Ottawa that hasn't been developed yet and said the new commercial neighbour would accelerate housing development already underway in Russell.

"Maybe young people who are looking for a job, restaurants, gas stations," Stappersaid.

"My guess it will be running 24/7, people need to eat, people need a break," pointed out Grace Stapper, who suggested the nearby community of Carlsbad Springs would likely see a business boost.

"Hey, maybe I'llgetmy packages from Amazon even quicker," joked her husband.