Amherstburg town council is entering into the next steps of possibly having a private development group proceed with their plans for the Belle Vue property.
Town council agreed, by a recorded 4-1 vote, to approve a six-part motion that would result in the Town of Amherstburg negotiating with the Amico/Loop family proponents in order to see if a deal can be reached so that entity can redevelop the property.
Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb, Councillor Don McArthur, Councillor Molly Allaire and Councillor Linden Crain were in favour while Mayor Michael Prue was opposed. Councillor Diane Pouget declared a conflict of interest due to the proximity of Belle Vue to her home while Councillor Peter Courtney was absent. Gibb had a March 2025 deadline for negotiations added to the motion.
The Amico/Loop proposal, presented at the Oct. 10, 2023 meeting, called for renovation of the 200-year-old Belle Vue manor into six hotel rooms, a spa, restaurant and public gallery/event space. There would also be another building constructed on the site to accommodate a 24-unit hotel as well as a pool house, outdoor pavilion, green space and 52 semi-detached homes.
The recommendation council passed was to deem the entire property as surplus, direct administration to proceed with negotiations with Amico/Loop regarding their expression of interest (EOI), use the balance of funding in the Belle Vue EOI project for use in the next steps in negotiations, and to direct administration that if negotiations fail to provide a report back to town council regarding the procedure for the disposition of the property.
Other parts of the recommendation would see council direct administration to “provide a formal statement” to the Belle Vue Conservancy (BVC) advising of the divestment of the property and that the town would not support the further collection of donations and that administration enter into discussions with the BVC regarding donor recognition.
The motion was passed despite a pair of passionate delegations, one of which was from the Belle Vue Conservancy. Robert Honor and Mary Anne Adam represented the group with Honor outlining the historical value of the property, including those who lived there. That included the Reynolds sisters and two “significant industrialists” as well as the fact it served as a home for World War I veterans and later housed St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.
“Belle Vue is a place of important cultural and social value as well as being of somewhat significant property value,” said Honor.
The group received a valuation that the entire site would be worth $1 million per acre, adding the town had already paid $1.1 million to purchase the site. The BVC also raised the money to repair the roof, he noted.
Honor voiced concern over the timing of the restoration and that it will be done in a timely manner, fearing the building’s condition could deteriorate.
Belle Vue, which is one of only two Palladian-style buildings in Canada, was purchased by the town in 2016, Adam added, with the BVC having the goal to raise $1 million. She also noted their work to fundraise for the new roof.
Adam noted there was a “difference of opinion” with the town as it pertained to who held the funds, with the BVC eventually becoming its own charitable organization. She added they were working on a federal grant but that was derailed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
A commitment was made that the BVC be included in discussions when the Expression of Interest (EOI) but Adam claimed that did not happen, with nine town employees screening the applications. She urged council not to give the land away, adding the group is still going ahead with an Oct. 10 fundraiser.
Marc Pillon also addressed town council said he was confounded by what he believed was a lack of vision by the town. He questioned that if there were only three responses to the EOI, why wouldn’t all be brought to town council since they could have been assessed at that level. That would have added to a level of transparency, he stated.
Pillon called for an increased level of trust, transparency and leadership. He wanted the part of the motion to have the property be declared surplus removed and further urged town council to keep the historic property in public hands.
Allaire questioned why it took almost a year for this report to return to town council. Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne stating the town used a consultant to gather the information needed and to take “a deeper dive if council wishes us to proceed.” McArthur wanted clarification from administration on how much it would cost to renovate the historic manor and was told $14 million.
Crain put forth the motion to proceed with the recommendation, calling Belle Vue “one of a kind” in the process. He said “it’s clear” the town is not in a position to restore the manor to its former glory and going forward with the motion is at “minimal or no cost to the town.”
The town would benefit economically through such things as increased housing and taxes and that the town would negotiate public access.
“This is not finalized yet,” said Crain, noting negotiations still have to occur.
“I understand the passion for this special place,” added Gibb.
Gibb added some may think by proceeding into negotiations that this will be the council that abandons Belle Vue, but he viewed it as this is the council that will restore Belle Vue. He said efforts have been made by the town to restore the property themselves, but it hasn’t happened.
“I don’t see how it could happen in a reasonable time frame,” the deputy mayor stated.
Calling proceeding into negotiations with the Amico/Loop group as “a viable option,” Gibb said he believes the town would negotiate to ensure the town is protected. He added a deal still might not happen.
“We have to try and get this building restored. I think this is the way to go,” said Gibb.
Prue wanted the six-part motion divided and sections voted on individually, but couldn’t get a seconder to the motion. The mayor called the direction to declare the lands as surplus “pre-mature,” believing a decision should wait until a later date. He supported going negotiations with Belle Vue and a report come back to town council and didn’t have a problem with use of funding in the Belle Vue EOI project.
Prue said he was “totally in agreement” with should negotiations fail, that a report return to council on options on the procedure for the disposition of lands. He was strongly opposed to the portions of the motion relating to the BVC, stating the town doesn’t have the right to tell a non-profit organization who to raise funds for.
“We don’t do that. We can’t do that,” said Prue. “I don’t know where that comes from.”
Prue added the town doesn’t have the authority to direct how the donations should be addressed. Allaire believed the motion said the town wouldn’t support collection efforts but doesn’t say the BVC is not allowed to do it.
McArthur said he supported the motion because he believes a restored Belle Vue is good for the town from a tourism and economic development perspective. He said a previous motion he made to restore public access to the grounds couldn’t proceed due to dangers on the grounds.
Belle Vue is an asset, he added, and that going forward into negotiations could allow the town to have the site transformed back “into something special.” There is little risk, McArthur added, stating council is giving administration direction to negotiate.
“If we don’t like (a negotiated agreement), we don’t take it,” he said.
Recalling a past economic development committee discussion about historical “bookends” with Belle Vue on one side and Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada on the other, McArthur said he wants to see that happen.
“I believe in that vision. I still believe in that vision,” he said.
The town doesn’t have $14 million to restore the manor and believed what has been proposed could be beneficial. He stated safeguards would be negotiated by administration and they will work to get the best deal they can for the town.
Belle Vue negotiations to proceed with Amico/Loop group
By Ron Giofu
Comments