C-K drops $2.5M on new properties

By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In a bid to create more affordable housing, Chatham-Kent is expanding its real estate portfolio.

Following approvals from council Oct. 20, the municipality is buying three Park Street properties, as well as a 6.2-acre site on Churchill Street, the home of the former John N. Given School.

All told, the purchase price of all four properties is around $2.5 million. However, more than half of the cost is covered by the federal government through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Housing Accelerator Fund. Earlier this year, C-K received $10 million under the program.

According to an administrative report, Chatham-Kent is purchasing the Churchill Street property from the Lambton Kent District School Board for $1,625,000, as the board deemed it surplus.

A total of $1.2 million of the price tag is coming through the Children’s Services Mitigation Reserve, with the balance of $425,000 coming from the CMHC Accelerator Fund.

In another purchase, council agreed to buy 398 Park St. for $290,000; 406 Park St. for $210,000 and 410 Park St. for $300,000, plus legal costs. All of the money is coming through the CMHC accelerator fund.

The licensed 34-space Adventure Hours Nursery School in John N. Given School will continue to serve families at the site, council heard.

“The existing school on the property will be used to continue to provide childcare service and any other new proposed developments of the property,” said Ray Harper, director of municipal housing and property development. “Right now, we’re just looking at, like the report says, affordable housing options for development and perhaps recreation uses.”

However, some councillors weren’t happy about Chatham-Kent buying more property.

“I’m just struggling with spending all this money,” North Kent representative Jubenville said prior to the vote. “I know we need these things but we have so many assets…I’m really struggling with all of this spending we’re doing.”

Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy didn’t think the municipality should be purchasing more property, noting the Churchill Street site would be better utilized for single-family homes.

The property should be left to a private investor to develop, Bondy stated.

“We just bought Meadow Park and we just bought St. Agnes and we haven’t done anything with either one of them,” he said.

In his comments, South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle said he wanted to ensure that supportive housing wouldn’t be going in at the former school while a daycare was operating.

In defense of the purchase, Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor said a private developer might proceed with a use the municipality doesn’t want.

After buying the three homes on Park Street, the municipality will own the entire block that includes the Pet and Wildlife Rescue property and the tiny cabin complex. Plans are in the works to demolish all of the existing homes on Park Street for $150,000.

Any future land use changes for the buildings or property at either site must come back before council for approval.

“Administration needs to take time to review potential options for the property,” Harper said, “but certainly we view at this point in time, Churchill Street)will be a great place for family affordable, both mixed and attainable, development.”