Big changes are in store for the Bruce Inn building in downtown Kincardine.
Owner Jason Kirkconnell wants to convert the second and third floors of the old hotel into 11 apartment units.
He has owned the property for five years and says one of the main reasons he purchased it was to restore the building.
Kirkconnell says the second and third floors are currently empty after being completely gutted two years ago.
Kincardine BIA Chair Margriet Van Erp says her organization supports Kirkconnell’s plan.
She notes it fits in well with the downtown provitalization plan and the need for more housing in that part of town.
Council decided to waive the fees Kirkconnell would have had to pay in lieu of providing more parking spaces.
The hotel building has 23 existing spaces and Kirkconnell plans to keep 14 available for apartment use.
Deputy Mayor Laura Haight says the new apartments are a great chance to bring more people to the downtown core, many of whom do not even need cars.
She says people can easily live, work, and shop downtown without owning a car.
Haight notes the more people living in a downtown core area, the more vibrant it is.
She also wants to even the competition for business between the downtown area and the commercial developments along Highway 21 and Sutton Street.
Kirkconnell says there will be no changes to the existing Bruce Inn Bar and Grill business on the main floor of the building and that there will not even be an interior connection between that establishment and the upstairs apartments.
Kirkconnell hopes to begin construction work in March and have it finished by July of this year.