Metro's $400-million Etobicoke expansion

The Metro grocery chain is planning a $400-million investment to its Vickers Road distribution centre.

The Metro grocery chain's plan to replace and expand its distribution centre on Vickers Road is one step closer to becoming reality.

Etobicoke York community council has endorsed city planning recommendations for a zoning bylaw amendment that will allow for a new one-storey warehouse distribution centre to be built at 17, 25 and 75 Vickers Rd.

City council will vote on the recommendations on June 18.

Once complete, the development would include a refrigerated warehouse, a distribution centre and administrative offices, totaling just over 540,000 square feet.

The facility is projected to accommodate 600 employees.

"This is a really exciting thing to do for reinvestment in the city," project consultant Rick Pennycooke said at community council on May 22, adding that the project is a $400-million investment. "This is going to be the latest and greatest in distribution technology for food distribution."

Community council chair Mark Grimes agreed.

"It's a huge investment in our area," he said to the applicants. "We welcome you and your expansion."

The demolition and construction is set to occur in two phases to ensure the existing warehouse at 25 Vickers Rd. can continue to operate throughout the first portion of the construction process.

Once construction is complete at 17 and 75 Vickers Rd. in Phase 1, operations will move into that part of the new facility and demolition of 25 Vickers Rd. will commence for the construction of Phase 2.

Source: www.toronto.com