Chatham-Kent Council has voted 11-5 to move ahead with two options for the Downtown Chatham Centre (DCC).
One option is to renovate the existing Civic Centre and the other is to buy a portion of the Downtown Chatham Centre and relocate the Civic Centre, library, and museum to the former Sears building.
Part of the DCC ownership group, Rob Myers, told Council Monday night that it's been three years and he is getting tired of the lack of progress. Myers said the mall is losing money and it's time for Council to make a decision.
"I'm not looking to profit from this. I'm looking to revitalize downtown Chatham. Any profit I was to make out of this, I'd be happy to give back to the museum. It's not about money, it's about developing downtown," said Myers.
Mayor Darrin Canniff supports moving the Civic Centre to the new DCC site, adding it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. The mayor said the council chambers won't be just a council chambers, it will be a shared room that comes with other spaces open to the public.
"The council chambers, it won't be a council chambers, it'll be a multi-purpose room that the library can use, the museum can use. We will use it as a council chamber on Monday nights or whenever else we need it, but the library, they will have a room this size that they can do something with. The museum will have that and it will be right on site," said Mayor Canniff.
Ward 6 councillor Alysson Storey can't support relocating the Civic Centre to the mall and questioned why the municipality can't build on top of the current Civic Centre. Storey also questioned who's needs the municipality is serving.
"We're considering doing renovations to the Sears building, which we do not currently own, on land we don't own, adjacent to a building we don't own. Why wouldn't we consider the same approach to our current buildings that we do own. This building was actually designed to add storeys on to. If you support library, art gallery, museum needs only when it involves selling public assets to private developers, but you won't support it now when there are buildings owned by us, the taxpayers of Chatham-Kent, it raises the genuine question as to who's needs are we really taking into consideration during this entire process" said Storey referring to a deputation by the Chair of the Chatham-Kent Library Board saying library users prefer renovating the current library branches (Option #3 no longer under consideration).
Several councillors said it's time to invest in downtown Chatham because it's been neglected for far too long. Councillor Marjorie Crew said a bustling downtown would improve public safety. Councillor Michael Bondy said the new plan for the DCC would improve quality of life for downtown residents.
The mayor said if the current Civic Centre and Chatham Library branch are sold, the new library and museum at the mall would only cost roughly $6 million.
Chatham-Kent's Manager of Corporate Communications Eric Labadie said administration is now working to formulate a finalized agreement with the property owners that is acceptable to both parties. Labadie said once an acceptable agreement is reached, the municipality will begin next steps, such as developing project timelines and creating an action plan that will be put into motion. He added the process will be a multi-year affair.
Mayor Canniff said the only thing that would stop the purchase of the old Sears building and moving staff is if the tender came in way over the estimated $53 million price tag.
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Previous story below from October 26, 2023:
The new plan for the Downtown Chatham Centre (DCC) is starting to gain momentum.
Municipal staff are recommending two options to Chatham-Kent council that will be discussed Monday night at the council meeting.
Councillors will consider Option 2, which is to renovate the existing Civic Centre or Option 5, to buy a portion of the Downtown Chatham Centre and relocate, according to a staff report.
The new plan does not include a new arena or promenade.
In his report, Chatham-Kent General Manager of Development Services Bruce McAllister wrote both options would achieve several of the same strategic initiatives previously identified by council in various policy documents and the 2023-2026 Council Term Priorities. However, renovating the current Civic Centre (Option 2) would not achieve a rationalization of assets through the potential consolidation of facilities, since it would not reduce the number of municipal buildings.
McAllister also wrote Option 2 would not provide the opportunity to expand the library or further enhance cultural assets. Option 5 should also result in potential operational savings that would not necessarily be achieved in Option 2, said McAllister.
The other three options are being abandoned. Administration is recommending that council not proceed any further with Option 1, Do Nothing/Address Requirements on an As-needed Basis, Option 3, Renovate the Existing Civic Centre/Library Expansion/Cultural Centre, and Option 4, Build a New Civic Centre at a New Location [other than DCC].
"Should Council wish to maintain the existing level of service, then proceed with Option 2, Renovate the Existing Civic Centre or should Council wish to expand the existing level of service by expanding the library and further enhance the Municipality’s cultural assets, then proceed with the further exploration of Option 5, Purchase a Portion of Downtown Chatham Centre & Relocate," wrote McAllister.
Administration is also suggesting reporting back, as soon as possible, with an action plan and funding source to address the "various" safety concerns at the current Civic Centre identified in a condition assessment report where the facility does not meet the Ontario Building Code or Ontario Fire Code.
The report suggests the Civic Centre is in fair to poor condition, adding the site and building exterior are in fair condition, and generally with some repair or replacement work, can be used for the foreseeable future. It also said the parking deck requires monitoring or repair and the interior finishes [floor, wall, and ceiling coverings] of the Civic Centre have reached the end of their useful life.
The assessment report also said Fire Station #1 attached to the Civic Centre is in poor condition.
Option 2 is estimated to cost $37 million, not including Fire Station #1, which is up from the original estimate of $30 million-$35 million. The estimated cost of Option 5 is $53 million, but the municipality could sell the Civic Centre and Chatham Library branch for nearly $9.4 million, which would lower the price tag.
"A detailed financing plan will be required should Council wish to proceed with either Option 2 or Option 5, which would include a combination of use of existing reserves, a long-term debenture and benefit of energy efficiencies because of new system upgrades," McAllister said. "Option 5 would also incorporate Development Charges for a portion of the library expansion related to growth."
Administration was directed by council in August 2023 to conduct more public consultation on the five options and return to council on October 30, 2023, with a summary of comments and a summary of the advantages and disadvantages for each option.
The municipality said the online survey open from August 15 to September 22, 2023 received 1,146 responses. Approximately 80 people in total attended two public sessions held on September 13 and 20, 2023.
"There was a lot of good feedback provided; however, there was no overwhelming consensus regarding any one option," wrote McAllister referring to the two public sessions.
