The Owen Sound Current

The Owen Sound Current

Rethinking the Impact of New Retail Development in Owen Sound

Opinion: Big-box store development continues to push outward in Owen Sound, hollowing out the core. Is it wise to remove retail impact analysis from our Official Planning process?

Christy Hempel's avatar
Christy Hempel
Dec 09, 2025
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Photo: Owen Sound Current

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Does Owen Sound think that even more big-box development on the eastern edge of town is something that should happen right now? Or should that development wait until the market can absorb an expanded retail sector? Should it be housing instead?

These are not hypothetical questions. They are decisions being …

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Christy Hempel's avatar
A guest post by
Christy Hempel
Christy Hempel is an urban designer who writes, draws, and makes Lego models about building strong towns.
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