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County bids on Barker Street School
In a meeting last week, a committee of council unanimously agreed to bid $1 million to acquire the former Queen Elizabeth School in Picton. Earlier in the meeting, Council had struggled mightily to part with a short list of unused and forgotten properties. Then, they agreed to acquire a big one.
In November 2018, the school was declared surplus by the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB). At the time, the County along with Prince Edward Lennox- Addington Social Services, submitted an expression of interest. In May 2020, Council directed staff to forward a letter of intent from the CAO on behalf of Council to the school board offering $850,000. The plan was for the building to serve various purposes, including affordable housing.
While only two parties expressed interest, ultimately, the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board’s bid was chosen.
The pandemic slowed negotiations between the two boards. Then last year, the Catholic Board announced it would build a new school at an alternate site (on Talbot Street). It subsequently relinquished its interest in the property. The sale process began again.
A new appraisal last November indicated a current market value of $600,000. This valuation was based on the school building plus one acre of property. The estimated market value of the surrounding 3.59 acres of the school property pushed the total property valuation to the $1 million mark. Thus, Shire Hall’s bid amount.
The County anticipates Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will ultimately fund the purchase price. The County will own, operate and maintain the property.
As it is currently imagined, the project will serve as a mixed-use residential community providing a diverse array of affordable and attainable housing options, or ‘a community within a community’ as Charles Dowdall, Executive Director of Housing, calls it. The vision includes a medical hub, community services, community gardens and childcare services, amongst other amenities.
“After we have completed and started working on the conditions, we would come back to Council with terms of reference for a request for proposal,” said Dowdall. “Within that master development, we would identify who our collaborators are for the provision of various community services and interests we have identified.”
Mayor Steve Ferguson was enthusiastic about the turn of events.
“I don’t think it’s any surprise to anybody how passionate I am about this,” said Mayor Ferguson. “It has been an ongoing issue since August of 2019 and represents an unbelievable opportunity.”
The file will return to Council on March 28. CAO Marcia Wallace said she would send a letter to the school board with their offer the following day.
I hope they turn at least part of it into one bedroom apartments at an affordable rate. We really need that right now.
Let’s get this project on the move. Affordable housing is a CRITICAL need here in PEC. The list for housing is more than a 7-10 year wait NOW. More people are not even on the list!! Let’s do what we can to get this project going asap. It will be a significant community Hub for all sorts of people. There is enough room for a wonderful community drop in Center for the neighborhood to have coffee, play cards, do crafts, etc. It gives everyone in that neighborhood a destination to go to. We need ways to strengthen our sense of Community. Here’s a great example.
So happy this time has finally arrived! I too am passionate about the affordable housing, together with the other elements. BONUS!