Town council has voted to determine the opportunity “is a valid and worthwhile one” and wants to proceed to negotiate an agreement with Valente Developments. As part of the motion, direction was provided for administration to proceed with negotiations and “at a future date,” provide council with an in-camera report including recommendations on negotiation strategies and expectations as well as a financial plan.
Councillor Molly Allaire asked for confirmation on what a new town hall would cost to build from scratch on town-owned land, noting a $27 million figure. Director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon stated that was the case with a report from manager of facilities Terry Fasan adding the “estimated cost in the report for a standalone new town hall in Bill Wigle Park is estimated to cost $27.5 million and would also require a detailed functional space needs assessment as well.”
A space needs study earlier in the fall recommended Bill Wigle Park as the prime location for a new town hall, prior to Valente Developments coming forth with its offer. The latter proposal came before council in September with rent, rent-to-own and purchase offers on the table at that time.
The motion to proceed into negotiations passed unanimously 6-0 - Councillor Peter Courtney was absent Monday night – with Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb indicating the status quo is not an option.
“We have to do something,” said Gibb. “We can’t sit here and do nothing.”
Gibb said town council needs to make an informed decision so they need all the information.
“We’re not committing to anything,” said Gibb. “We definitely have to move forward so we can chart the course for this municipality.”
Councillor Don McArthur called it “a fascinating proposal” from Valente, adding no final decision was being made Monday night whether town hall is moving to the former high school. He said they are “empowering staff to kick the tires and do their due diligence” as to whether the opportunity could be worth it.
McArthur referenced the space needs study and the suggested location for a new town hall, noting it is essentially the same as Bill Wigle Park is right next door to General Amherst. An “added bonus” is that they would not take away parkland if they move into the former General Amherst site. The town can’t keep spending money at the new town hall, noting they could spend over $6 million in upgrades at the current building but it would only last five years and still not allow for enough space for the town’s needs.
Fasan’s report said between $4.5 million to $6.5 million would be needed at the current town hall for repairs, to make it AODA compliant, renovate fire station #1 into town hall space, and to address further space needs.
“Further, this investment does not provide for growth, will likely only be of value for two to five years and costs may be higher once tendered. Those investments would not address current deficiencies related to providing service to the community; residents will still need to attend various sites for different services; parking limitations are not able to be addressed and council chamber size still hinders resident engagement,” Fasan wrote in his report.
McArthur quipped there is “political theatre” in the current council chambers on occasion but was intrigued by the possibility of a community theatre as part of a council chambers in a new town hall.
“There’s a lot of potential in this project,” he said. “We have to explore that potential.”
Councillor Linden Crain believed there could be savings if staff members were consolidated into one building rather than several buildings. Whether or not they actually move to the former General Amherst High School building depends on the numbers, he said.
“I’m all in favour of moving further and moving ahead to the next step,” said Crain.
Mayor Michael Prue said the current town hall has numerous problems.
“We are in this building and the building is way past its best before date,” said Prue.
Prue outlined issues as it is not AODA compliant, there is not enough parking, and the building is too small for current needs. Potentially spending over $6 million “is a waste of money, in my opinion.” That $6 million to fix the current building is not worth it, he added.
“It simply is not.”
It would be more palatable to residents if the town were to get money for the project by selling some of its current properties, such as the existing town hall and Amherstburg fire station #3, when the latter is decommissioned at the new site.
“We’re going to need the money,” he said. “I think that will be an easier pill to swallow.”
Prue added “I want the best deal possible” as it pertains to negotiations.
A public meeting was held Oct. 5 on the proposal and a Talk the Burg survey saw 84 responses. Fasan said 42.9 per cent supported it and 41.7 per cent do not support, with 15.5 per cent considering it an opportunity but want to know more. The survey results showed 53.6 per cent of respondents believe it a good adaptive re-use and 46.4 per cent do not. Results show 64.3 per cent support the civic theatre proposed in the design while 57.1 per cent support re-imagining Bill Wigle park as a civic esplanade.
Valente Developments president Peter Valente was pleased with the result of the meeting.
“I’m excited,” he told the RTT. “I’m very excited to proceed and talk to the town and negotiate with them.”
According to Valente, the taxes created by the redevelopment of the former General Amherst High School would be over $600,000. He said the development would have retail and residential components elsewhere on the site, with the residential units being a mix of rental units and condominiums.
Town to enter into negotiations with Valente regarding GAHS site
By Ron Giofu
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