Moving to Oshawa – Great Reasons to Live in Oshawa
There’s always something fun happening in downtown Oshawa. From unique shopping to fine dining, from family activities to special events, there are over 150 businesses and services offered here. It’s all within walking distance of the historic four corners at King and Simcoe Streets.
Visit the Oshawa Public Library and McLaughlin Art Gallery. Stroll through the wonderful downtown parks and floral displays. Enjoy a coffee at one of the numerous cafes. Visit the Canadian Automotive Museum and discover classic cars from a bygone era.
There’s plenty of parking throughout the downtown, from on-street parking to the parkades, there are hundreds of places to park. Participate in the exciting summer Jazz and Blues Festival. August also brings the Festival of Murals and the ever popular Auto-Fest Kick-Off. And of course let’s not forget the numerous restaurants, theatres & local eateries that continue to expand to serve this growing community.
In October 2009, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) announced that they will be moving their Faculty of Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies into the downtown core and building a new 30,000 square foot building. UOIT has also acquired the Regent Theatre which they will utilize for lectures and community programming.
The revitalization of the Genosha Hotel into student accommodations is currently underway and is intended to open in September 2010 bringing more diversity and vibrancy to the downtown.
A downtown Oshawa street will be transformed into a public plaza this fall, as part of UOIT’s expansion plans. Victoria Street — a small side street adjacent to the theatre, which connects Bond and King streets — will be permanently closed to vehicle traffic and turned into a “multi-purpose public plaza”. This is a venue where students can relax between classes and mingle with downtown pedestrians. The plaza will feature tables and chairs, raised planters with trees, benches, bike racks and a market area with permanent awnings and a poured concrete stage.
Earlier this month, Oshawa council approved $7.5 million in city funding to help UOIT further its downtown expansion, which started in 2008 when the faculty of education moved into a vacant downtown building on Simcoe Street North. This fall, the Regent Theatre will reopen to provide classroom space by day and theatre use in the evenings, while a new building behind the theatre on Bond Street will be home to UOIT’s faculty of criminology.
Elsewhere in the downtown Oshawa, the basement of the Genosha Hotel is set to house psychology labs, while the former Alger Press building on Charles Street will open in January with classroom space, student services and a cafe, among other amenities.
Oshawa councillors are largely in favour of the plaza concept and voted on June 28 to lease Victoria Street to UOIT and restrict any traffic on the street through a by-law.
Councillor Louise Parkes said having a permanent stage in the plaza will save money for groups that host downtown events, such as the Jazz and Blues Festival, and typically pay to erect a stage downtown.
Downtown Oshawa is fast establishing a reputation as a centre for academic excellence with the development of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) downtown campus. The City of Oshawa, Downtown Oshawa Business Improvement Area (DOBIA) and UOIT have partnered together to install banners along key corridors to mark the Downtown Oshawa University District.
In addition to establishing itself as an educational center of excellence, Oshawa offers outstanding value for home buyers. House prices in this bedroom community continue to be reasonable and Oshawa boasts a good selection of home styles to suit almost any budget.
These exciting initiatives continue to bolster Oshawa’s reputation as a vibrant, modern and exciting city. Come join the fun and consider making Oshawa your home.