Town council is going ahead with the demolition of part of the Amherstburg Community Hub though a resident had hoped to have them listen to one of his suggestions instead.
The $700,000 cost will cover part of tearing down of the southeast portion of the building at 320 Richmond St., one that formerly housed St. Bernard School, though Amherstburg resident John Menna appeared before council at their most recent regular meeting with other ideas.
“I estimate the total area of the building to be 30,000 square feet. According to your roof drone report, 80 per cent of the entire roof structure is in poor condition. The rest of the roof is in fair condition,” said Menna. “I estimate 22,000 square feet of the total roof is in poor condition.”
Menna said the cost of demolition would translate into about 25 parking spots. He said there are 88 spots there, with 42 along Richmond St., 28 are behind the building and 16 spots with two handicapped spots in front.
There are 32 spaces in the fenced in area, he added, with that now being owned by a private firm Arch Corporation to build a long-term care home.
Of the spots owned privately, Menna said he sees only four spots used when he drives by daily.
“If this council believes you need more parking for future use of the hub, I believe that we have room for expanding along Richmond St.,” he said.
Menna said if a parking study was done in back of the hub, there is room for expansion there. He believed there could be more parking added cheaper than $700,000.
“You need a parking study before you spend $700,000 taxpayer dollars,” he said.
The Amherstburg food bank used part of the unused portion of the building but “it now sits empty” due to the pending demolition.
“This council needs more information and study and only then can administration can be sure to recommend spending $700,000,” said Menna.
The town should also consider repurposing the space, suggesting the 10,500 square foot space could fit library services. He said the heart and stroke rehabilitation services were also looking to expand into Amherstburg.
“Take the time to make the right decisions. Get the facts,” he said. “Do not rush a $700,000 expenditure for 28 parking spots. I think you should look at everything and re-consider.”
Menna said he didn’t notice any rain damage when inside the building due to the roof and encouraged re-purposing the building.
Council debated the procedure for re-considering the issue, with administration pointing out that a full report had been previously brought to town council and voted upon. Mayor Michael Prue did note council had the power to deny the tender, which they did not, but not to reconsider.
Councillor Molly Allaire said she understood where Menna was coming from, but she pointed out the report noted that a $4.9 million cost would be needed to fix up the remaining space and $1.1 million is needed to take care of the spaces that are being rented.
A new parking lot would be more accessible and going this route “was a great choice,” said Allaire.
“We decided on this a long time ago. We decided this was the right way to go with this situation. It was all part of a larger plan,” said Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb.
Gibb said he respected Menna’s delegation but said “it’s all been decided” and viewed the request as a last minute change that was not necessary.
Councillor Diane Pouget asked for various reports, such as engineering reports on the condition of the roof. She said there was no report on the condition of the roof and its costs. The drone report should have also been on the agenda, she believed.
“There’s no costing to show us how much it would cost to fix this whole section. That should have been reported. Where’s the study to confirm the lack of parking at the hub?” she asked.
Pouget said the space needs study said more room is needed as well. She called the demolition report “premature” and that reports should have been included in the Sept. 23 agenda.
Prue said town council did discuss the matter Dec. 11, 2023.
“There was a full report with all the things you are asking for now and it was approved by council,” Prue told Pouget.
According to the report from manager of facilities Terry Fasan: “There is currently 9,775 square feet of unfinished unleased space at the Hub. As per the report dated June 13, 2022 the cost to finish the space, based on current construction costs was estimated to be $4,918,795. In addition, there is approximately $1,180,115 in required investments identified over the next three years to keep the HUB in good working condition, the majority of these costs are attributed to roof replacement and parking lot issues. The demolition of a large portion of the building presents an opportunity to eliminate approximately 4,800 square feet of the unfinished space at the HUB, while creating additional parking that is required. The reduction of the size of the HUB also reduces the capital costs associated with maintaining the facility, particularly the roof, once this sizable area is removed.”
Town to tear down part of hub, resident has other suggestions
By Ron Giofu
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