It’s taken several weeks, multiple high-level meetings and, finally, a $200,000 compromise from a charitable organization.
But, in the end, at a special city council meeting late Monday afternoon, city councillors, in a 10-minute session, provided its stamp of approval that paves the way for construction to begin on a $14-million community services hub on Queen Street.
In April, proponents of Building Hope came to city council asking the municipality to provide a grant of about $408,000 to cover the anticipated development charges related to the project.
They also asked council to waive the site security deposit, which, on a project of this magnitude, was determined to be about $630,000.
That money is held in abeyance and used by the city if the contractor does not fulfill its end of the bargain when it comes to site services such as stormwater management, landscaping and other components.
Coun. Ted Emond, although in favour of the project in principle, led the way in delaying the approval.
He sought clarity about funding parameters, at one point even questioned the integrity of the project proponents, called for a meeting with County of Simcoe officials about the project and said he feared putting taxpayers at risk by not forcing the proponents to ante up the site security fees.
However, after meeting with County of Simcoe officials a few weeks ago and following another meeting with Building Hope officials Friday, he declared he was finally ready to see the deal move forward.
At last Friday's meeting, Building Hope campaign co-chairs Glenn Wagner and Charlene Taylor presented a compromise. They agreed to provide a $200,000 letter of credit as a “reduced security deposit” to help assuage concerns about the issue.
At Monday's special meeting, Emond issued a “personal thanks” to the duo for meeting with him, Coun. Ralph Cipolla, Mayor Steve Clarke and CAO Gayle Jackson about the issues.
“I felt it was an exceedingly healthy and useful and in-depth conversation,” said the second-term Ward 2 councillor.
While he said he still has some “concerns about the process” and “with respect to the substance of the project,” he felt it was time to move on.
“It did bring me to a point in time where I have come to realize further public debate and delay on this particular matter of the securities would ... only cause harm for Building Hope and its efforts, which I don’t think looks positively on members of council,” said Emond.
“But I also think, in the longer term (it) would have a negative impact on the very issue we’re all trying to resolve and that is resolution of what is a blight on our community in the form of homelessness.”
While Coun. Jay Fallis and Coun. Mason Ainsworth both stressed they felt the $200,000 committment was unnecessary, they and their colleagues supported the compromise that green-lights the project.
After the meeting, Wagner said he was “thrilled” with the partnership with the city.
“It certainly helps us immensely and meets our needs,” said Wagner, who has championed the project for several years.
He said Friday’s meeting was fruitful.
“I think talking is always wise,” said Wagner, adding getting together, face-to-face “helped immensely.”
He said it’s been a steep learning curve for the volunteer-led team behind Building Hope.
“Somewhat throughout this process, the system to make this happen has been a little flawed,” said Wagner, referencing the various levels of government that have been involved at various times.
“It’s just us learning as well ...the political system that we’re a little bit green with.”
One of the primary reasons Building Hope officials asked the city to waive the site security deposit was because of how forking over $633,000 would impact the non-profit's cash flow.
Wagner said the group is “very comfortable” with the $200,000 commitment and said that amount reduces concerns about cash flow and their ability to pay contractors.
However, there is one potential wrench in the works. The $14-million price tag is an estimate; they won’t know the real cost of the project until the tender process is complete.
That date is coming soon.
Now that the city and Building Hope have brokered this agreement, the site plan application can now be finalized.
However, there has been a bit of a delay that coincided with the city council delay.
“One of the engineers wanted to do some more bore holes on site to ensure the footings were proper to hold the buildings,” said Wagner, noting that’s now been completed.
“The analysis has to go to the engineer who will have to re-jig the tender package slightly and then (it will) go out to the invited bidders list,” said Wagner, noting that should happen with three weeks.
That means work will likely begin on the project in September.
The first phase of the ambitious project includes 20 supportive housing units in a facility that will be staffed with housing support workers.
The second phase is the new emergency shelter with 40 beds for men, women, families and youth. The current Lighthouse facility has 12 beds for men only.
The new facility will also be home to a first responder access room, mental health and addictions support, counselling offices, housing supports, a commercial kitchen, a medical office, laundry facilities and feature a soup kitchen/meal program.
“To meet the needs of the vulnerable, there will be a five-bed mental health wing,” Wagner explained of current plans. “This will be a segregated area for people with mental health and addictions issues.”
A third future phase will accommodate affordable housing in a potential partnership with a private developer.
To date, through fundraising and thanks to grants and government funding, $11 million has been raised.
Earlier in the spring, the group launched its public campaign to raise the remaining $3 million.
