The Region of Waterloo officially approved a plan on March 27, 2026, to redevelop the former Charles Street Terminal site in Downtown Kitchener using a multi-phase approach.
The three-acre property, which served as a Grand River Transit bus terminal until June 2019, has sat largely vacant since the launch of light rail transit redirected service in the area. While the site was used as a drive-thru COVID-19 testing centre in 2020, it has been empty since April 2022. Officials are now installing fencing on the property to prepare for technical assessments and future development work.
Regional leaders opted for a phased strategy to manage the project, citing the impact of higher construction costs, elevated interest rates, and overall market uncertainty. This approach is intended to reduce financial risk and allow the project to adapt to changing economic conditions, a lesson officials noted was learned from the nearby Kitchener Central Transit Hub project.
The site, located near the Victoria Park light rail station, has been the subject of community discussions since 2021. Residents and stakeholders have prioritized four main areas for the redevelopment: affordable housing, climate action, equity, diversity and inclusion, and a thriving economy. Additionally, advocates from the Willow River Centre have proposed creating an Indigenous community hub that would include gathering spaces, a health clinic, housing, and childcare services.
As the region moves forward, staff are looking into potential partnerships with non-profit and community groups to bring public-focused uses to the property as early as the first phase of development. However, before major construction can begin, environmental teams must address soil and groundwater contamination found on the site, including lead, hydrocarbons, and chlorinated solvents, which are common issues at older urban locations.
Regional Chair Karen Redman thanked the community for their input during the planning process, noting that diverse perspectives have been essential in shaping the vision for the site.
