Interview with Mayor Jerry Acchione - January 29th 2024

Monday, 29 January 2024 at 11:05

The 2023 Building Report details a lot of new builds in the Friendly City, including a new hotel on Dundas Street which will also house a Denny's restaurant.

WOODSTOCK - It was a big year for building permits in the Friendly City.

Woodstock reported $280 million worth of building permits last year, but Mayor Jerry Acchione says we had fewer permits issued compared with the year before.

"In 2022, we had over 760 permits drawn, but last year it was only 600 permits so a lot less permits but much higher value. It just shows you that new things are being built instead of just additions on existing buildings."

Woodstock City Council will look over the 2023 Building Report during this Thursday's meeting, and it includes several new builds. This includes a new medical centre at 640 Finkle Street, a new hotel with 105 units located at 527 Lampman Place and a 90 unit hotel located at 1510 Dundas Street, across the street from the Ford dealership. The hotel on Dundas will also include a Denny's restaurant.

Council will also look over a Court Security and Prison Transportation Transfer Payment Agreement this week. Acchione says Woodstock is set to receive $487,000 from the province this year, which is an increase compared to the $430,000 the City received last year.

The City Council meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. and it will be livestreamed on the City of Woodstock YouTube page. You can also find the meeting agenda online here.

During his interview with Dan and Marcie this morning, Mayor Acchione also discussed the following:

- His pick to win Super Bowl LVIII.

- His experience attending a Woodstock Lakers game on Saturday.

- The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in Toronto last week.

- The motion Oxford County Council passed last week, which supports The Association of Municipalities of Ontario as it advocated with the province to try to find a different way to fund essential services including affordable housing.

- His excitement for Groundhog Day at South Gate Centre this Friday.

You can listen to the full interview below: