EJQ7 - Winter 2026 - Journal - Page 15
2025 BROWNIE AWARD WINNERS
REBUILD: Project Development at the Building Scale
Charlie West – Kitchener, ON
CHARLIE WEST TRANSFORMED a contaminated former industrial site into a vibrant
condominium community through extensive cleanup and public incentives. The project
sparked the creation of Gaukel Street’s pedestrian promenade, now a hub for arts and
community events, while promoting transit use and walkable urban living. It highlights how
brownfield redevelopment can deliver environmental, cultural, and social benefits.
Project Team: Momentum Developments (Co-Developer), Zehr Group (Construction Manager
and Co-Development), MTE Consultants Inc. (Engineering and Environmental Consultant),
ABA Architects (Architectural Design), and City of Kitchener & Region of Waterloo
(Municipality partners and Brownfield Financial Incentive Providers).
“Being recognized with the Rebuild Award at this year’s Brownie Awards was a proud and rewarding
moment for MTE Consultants and all those involved in the Charlie West project. It recognized not only
the successful completion of Charlie West, but the dedication, collaboration, and expertise required to
transform a long-contaminated site into a meaningful part of downtown Kitchener’s renewal.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DYLAN CAVE (MTE CONSULTANTS),
ANDREW DUNBRACK (MTE CONSULTANTS), ROBERT REAUME
(MTE CONSULTANTS), BRIAN PRUDHAM (MOMENTUM
DEVELOPMENTS), JIM DODD (ZEHR GROUP), STEVE RUSSELL
(MTE CONSULTANTS), JOHN GOODWIN (MTE CONSULTANTS),
NICOLE VASEY (MOMENTUM DEVELOPMENTS), ZAC ZEHR
(ZEHR GROUP), KIERAN MADDOCK (MTE CONSULTANTS),
PAM TOLTON (ABA ARCHITECTS), AMY FURTADO (MTE
CONSULTANTS), AND KELSEY BROWN (MTE CONSULTANTS).
For MTE, this work reflects our commitment to responsible redevelopment and creating safe,
sustainable places for communities to grow. Beyond the building itself, Charlie West helped lay
the groundwork for the Gaukel Block, now a vibrant pedestrian corridor connecting City Hall and
Victoria Park. Seeing a once-challenging brownfield site evolve into a community hub makes this
recognition especially meaningful.”
Emilija Perisic, MTE Consultants
E N V I RON M E N T J OURN A L QUA RT E RLY RE PORT • W I N T ER 2 02 5 • P AGE 1 5
