Councillor Doug Sulman hopes his request for public information on the Boardwalk on the Thames condominium project will provide at least some reassurance for local citizens.
In response to Sulman’s request, Chatham-Kent planning services director Bruce McAllister provided some background information and an update with the developer, Brampton-based Everlast Construction.
McAllister’s reported notes “based on discussions with the developer and recent media reports, it is our understanding that they are waiting for the remainder of the proper façade and balconies to be delivered and at that point a crane will return to install them. Once all the balconies are installed and exterior work completed, the barriers on King Street will be able to be removed. It is anticipated that this work will be completed by the end of the year.”
Sulman said he’s pleased to get answers for the public, but less enthused that the municipality has so little control over the use of public streets by private business.
“I hope the project is completed in this latest time frame and that it’s a great success,” he said. “People have been asking me about it and until now, all I had to go on was the fact that there have been several delays and deadlines passed.”
Sulman called the project of vital importance to the core but said the fact that it’s taking up a sidewalk, a traffic lane on King Street and blocking Simcoe Lane is holding up revitalization efforts.
“We have plans, we have money set aside but we can’t do anything as long as the street is blocked,” he said. “Some of these sidewalks are 40 years old, they’ve heaved and we have a real issue with liability from people tripping and suing us.”
Sulman said the fact that a private business can occupy a public street for a $50 annual fee with no deadlines doesn’t make sense to him.
“It appears we have very little control here,” he said. “As long as someone puts a nail into a piece of wood, a project is progressing and the building permit and all that goes with it is valid. It’s a big gap and perhaps we need to consider what happens when a project takes years to complete.”
The project was announced in 2010 and after a number of design changes; the roads were closed in 2013 when construction began.
He said completion of the project would project a better image than the concrete shell with no construction activity.
“People come to the municipality all of the time for business or pleasure and one way they form an opinion is by looking at our downtown,” he said. “If it looks vibrant, it’s a good impression, if not, it’s negative.”
“I understand business and the developer can proceed at whatever pace he is comfortable with but it’s time we got our street back so we can begin to benefit all of the other businesses who have been patiently waiting. We have a responsibility to them as well.”
Sulman said if the roads aren’t clear by December he will bring up the matter again.
“I’m going to continue to push the issue as long as it takes,” he said. “I hope the next time we’re talking about the project it’s about the grand opening but I won’t let the issue drop in the meantime.”
