Councillors have been struggling with the Grand Trunk problem for years, and the issue has become more contentious since the demolition of the historic Avon Crest Hospital. Two plans are emerging, and we’ll learn more about the City’s approach on Thursday at 10:00 am in Council chambers. Many of us won’t be able to make it at that time, so hopefully the City will post the video as quickly as possible. Here’s the agenda, which includes a link to the recording.
While watching the City meeting, many of us wll be thinking about Architect Robert Ritz’ alternative proposal earlier this month. Here are some quick notes that we hope will be helpful to those who want to follow the City’s presentation.
Click above to watch video
We know that $27 million has already been spent on acquiring, litigating and planning the Grand Trunk site. Details of this expense are on Engage Stratford. The City is leaning toward a demolition of at least part of the historic building and they hope to find someone who will buy the land, which is badly contaminated.
Ritz sees the project as far beyond the capabilities of his own firm; he is arguing as a professional who understands the issues, but also as a Stratford native who wants to see the completion of a renewed city centre. He argues that the money already spent makes the site too valuable to demolish or sell cheaply. It is also a high-value heritage property. He argues that the building itself is the solution to the problem of contaminated land, because the main building and accessory buildings can be altered to mitigate the dangers of contaminated soil.
The City has stated that there could be “hundreds of millions” of total public-private investment on the site over time, and the project would be financed through municipal capital plus partner contributions from the YMCA, the library, a possible health/clinic, seniors’ housing, and cultural groups. Senior-government grants and private-sector investment would also play a role.
Two perspectives on the project:
(the City’s arguments will be amplified here after the meeting)
City: Demolish the building, or at least part of it.
Ritz proposal is posted at GTRshops.ca
Ritz:
*One-time sale revenue versus long-term control of a high value civic asset.
*The building contains irreplaceable embodied carbon.
*Heritage building, revenue-supported community hub.
City: The City doesn’t have the capability to complete a project like this.
Ritz: Hire a project manager, preferably one with experience in heritage structures
City: The City can’t fund it
Ritz: The building helps fund itself. Phased construction so revenue pieces come on early. Structured parking at grade, income generating units over the pool, leased clinic/office space, rooftop solar.
City: The police headquarters should be on the periphery of Stratford, and should not be part of the proposed hub.
Ritz: Buying the Scotiabank Data Centre on Wright Boulevard for a new Stratford police headquarters is a short-sighted, wrong choice that would weaken the City’s tax base , block housing opportunities, and diminish the police force’s civic presence. (Stratford Times)
Outside of Stratford and surrounding community, does anyone really know about the Cooper Site’s history or care?
The citizens of Stratford appear divided on the need to preserve as much of the site as possible.
So really spending incremental millions does what for whom?
Tourism, feeling good? Redevelop in a way that addresses the Citizens greatest needs.
Practical question. I do think the train idea is attractive. These old trains are disappearing, so it would be an increasingly strong draw year after year, and tourism means money.
Whether or not they are able to house the train, the possibilities for the GTR are substantial – medical facilities, rental units, income from the library & corporate sponsors, and a police headquarters that stays downtown, instead of going to Wright Avenue.
That’s an extremely valuable space to be just left sitting there. Even the City says the building is solid. It just needs a design that prevents any contact with the contaminated soil. Have a look at the second Ritz presentation, which is the one where he talks about the money. I liked the idea of doing it in six stages, starting with the elements that will bring in the most cash.
Anyway, I’m going on Thursday to see what the City has planned. Keeping an open mind.