Sarnia's mayor is confident a major downtown redevelopment will proceed even though the city's sale of the Bayside Mall lands has not closed, and the existing purchase agreement has expired.
The sale of the land to Oakville-based Seasons Retirement Communities for $1 million, was conditional on a new lease agreement being negotiated with the county for the relocation of its Lambton Shared Services Centre.
The twice-extended closing date was Thursday, November 29.
Mayor Mike Bradley said the county facility is key to the project.
"I've been talking on a regular basis with the county and with the developer," said Bradley. "There's a lot of goodwill and energy going from the top county staff into negotiating a new facility that would be the key part of this redevelopment of Bayside Mall. I am very confident there is goodwill on both sides and there's commitment and if a deal's finally reached, it's my hope it can be brought to the new county council in December or January."
City Solicitor Scott McEachran said in a report to Sarnia council, that progress has been made on the terms of the lease but more time is needed.
In a statement emailed to BlackburnNews.com by Seasons Retirement Communities, CEO Mike Lavallee says once the lease agreement is finalized, they can renew the agreement for the land sale with the city.
Seasons already owns the downtown mall building, and wants to buy the land in support of a multi-phased development, now with an estimated cost of $100 million or more.
The latest plans include a nine storey seniors tower, a nine-storey residential tower, county and court offices, a medical centre, restaurant and retail space.
