Construction equipment and workers were on site in January of 2026 doing preparatory work — including grading, installation of sewer, water and stormwater systems and preliminary street alignment — on the former 24-acre Tartan Downs property, which Cape Breton University bought back in 2019. Photo by IAN NATHANSON /CAPE BRETON POST FILEArticle contentWork at a former harness-racing track in Sydney is expected to resume this week in preparation for a new housing development.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Urban Neighbourhood Development Association announced Friday that a local fencing company will soon be installing perimeter fencing around a 12-acre section of the former Tartan Downs raceway.Article contentArticle contentCape Breton University purchased the 24-acre site off Upper Prince Street in 2019 and partnered with the Urban Neighbourhood Development Association to develop a mixed-income housing community with 67 townhouses and two 39-unit apartment buildings, as well as new public streets and water, sewer and storm infrastructure.Article contentArticle content“This is another positive step forward for Tartan Downs and a visible sign of the progress being made to bring this important development to life,” Urban Neighbourhood Development Association president Kent MacIntyre said in a media release.Article content An artist’s rendering of the Tartan Downs Community and Housing Development project. SUBMITTED SUBMITTEDArticle content“Earlier this year, we completed site grading and elevation work, installed water and sewer lines, carried out perimeter ditching and established the preliminary street alignments. Some of the next steps include installation of temporary power and set-up of construction trailers at the site.”Article contentThe project has received funding from all levels of government — including $5 million from the province in 2022 and $5.4 from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality via the federal government in 2024.Article contentIn March 2025, CBU received $17.1 million through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to support new water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure at the Tartan Downs project, as well as second project to supply drinking water for CBU’s campus and 200 new housing units in the Tanglewood subdivision.Article contentAccording to the release, further details on the Tartan Downs development — including project partners, funding arrangements and construction timelines — will be shared as part of a detailed public announcement in the coming weeks.Article content
Pre-construction for Cape Breton housing project at former Tartan Downs site to begin
