Town hall options to be discussed Oct 27

One of the potential options for a new town hall at the Valente site at 130 Sandwich St. S. is pictured here, as presented by the Town of Amherstburg. One option includes a civic theatre while another features a new public library within the space. 

The Valente Development Corporation received zoning bylaw approvals in July for its development at the former General Amherst High School and now a decision is forthcoming on whether town hall will be part of it.

A 25-page report is on the Oct. 27 council agenda outlining a pair of options regarding the relocation of Amherstburg town hall to the property at 130 Sandwich St. S. In addition to moving town hall to the building, if approved, the proposal could also include either a civic theatre or space for a new library.

The report – co-authored by director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon, heritage planner Adam Coates and Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne – lists pros and cons administration has of not only the Valente proposal, but five others as well. The others include building a new town hall at Bill Wigle Park, a renovation/addition to the Libro Centre, building on land not yet acquired, building at the public works site and rebuilding at the current location. 

The five options came from a Space Needs Assessment Project (SNAP) by Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (JLL) last year.

Costs for a town hall with potential civic theatre space is estimated just shy of $13.9 million, and does not include costs for any technical components required for a new council chambers or a theatre and its operation. 

The estimated cost for the town hall option with a potential public library is over $15.6 million but does not include any technical, moving or shelving costs associated with moving the library.

“The total potential costs for the project as a whole inclusive of highest heritage cost of $1 million, plus, parking, generator and contingency ranges from $18 million (option 1) to $20 million (option 2). This cost per square foot inclusive of contingency using a $20 million budget equates to approximately $523.90 per sq. ft. for Option 1 and $469.86 per sq. ft. for Option 2,” the report states. 

“Council will see a similar new Town Hall in the Township of Tiny had a sq. ft cost of $757.57. Administration is also not aware of any of these other Town Halls including the complexity and cost associated with preservation of a heritage façade.”

In terms of legal ownership, a new condo corporation would be formed to complete the development. 

“The Town Hall would be owned by the Town with a voting seat at the table for

the governance of the building through a new condo corporation,” the report states. “Ownership will be through a mixed-use condominium with commercial/office residential components. Any common areas for maintenance of the building (roof and superstructure) will be managed through a condominium corporation.”

The report further stated: “Town Hall is proposed to be operated and accessible separate from the condominium, with separate entrances and loading areas, waste disposal, parking, hydro, utilities etc. Town Hall will be stand alone with only the roof and building exterior superstructure overhead being shared with the rest of the development. A noise consultant will be

engaged at the appropriate time to comment on the construction to ensure compliance with the Building Code. Allowances for a backup generator are included in the above noted cost for a fee of an additional $150,000.

Administration recommends costs for long-term maintenance be negotiated through a separate agreement and further the Town still hold a voting seat on the Condo Development Board.”

Valente Development Corporation anticipates a two-year construction timeline from the time the permit is issued, the report states.

Pros the town lists of the Valente site proposal include town hall being in a central location, re-use of a historic building, increased greenspace with in the park  will be created that is “a better use of space to accommodate parking close to the building),” accessible for all, potential to satisfy library needs or a civic theatre, the potential of cost savings could be divided with a linked structure, a potential cost savings by selling current infrastructure and it would service the town’s needs for the next 50-plus years.

Cons include the relocation of the Bill Wigle Park baseball diamond, the fact the town hall is in a “linked” building and not a standalone structure, parking needs to be satisfied in the park and the town not having full control over construction.

A town hall at Bill Wigle Park would have benefits such as it being in a central location and the fact the town owns the land. It would also be accessible and it would create a new “civic space” that would lead into downtown and Toddy Jones Park. It also shares similar benefits as the Valente proposal including the ability to serve the town for over 50 years and the cost savings by selling existing infrastructure.

The downsides to a Wigle Park building include cost, with the town claiming it would cost over $27 million to build a new structure. There would also be the loss of the baseball diamond and green space, Title Crown Land Registry changes and rezoning.

Administration lists the pros of a Libro Centre proposal as being that the town owns the land and the facility could be a one-stop shop for services. Accessibility and the ability to serve the community for 50-plus years are other benefits as well as the ability to sell current infrastructure. Cons are the loss of future recreational space, parking when recreational functions are running, the site is not in the downtown core, increased costs to relocate staff, limited recreational options during build, the possible compounding of an issue relating to lack of storage space, a “significant cost” to add 35,000 square feet to the building which the town estimates at $19 million, and the mixing of recreational and business uses.

A new build on land yet to be acquired carries benefits of the ability to serve the town for 50-plus years, the freedom to design what the town wants, accessible for all if it’s in the downtown core and the potential savings by selling current infrastructure. Cons that administration listed are the costs to purchase the land, costs to actually build the location as that could be “significantly more” than $27 million depending on land and servicing requirements, the time to investigate options, limited options in the downtown core without “significant investment,” and access to the building if it’s in a rural location.

Building a town hall at the infrastructure services site has pros listed as accessibility for all in the downtown core, the town owns the land, no rezoning is required, it would serve the community for 50 years or more and the potential cost savings of selling existing infrastructure. Cons are listed as demolition costs of existing building, relocation costs for infrastructure services yard and displacement of staff, possible future expansion needs for water services and unknown costs.

Rebuilding the current town hall has benefits listed as it being in the downtown core on land the town already owns and no rezoning would be requires. Cons are costs as “a complete rebuild would be required significantly increasing costs for relocation of staff and does not satisfy needs long term,” insufficient space for parking, no civic green space or gathering space as the parcel of land is “limited,” accessibility challenges, increased costs for the relocation of staff up to what the town says is $100,000 per year for rented space and moving of equipment and services on a temporary basis and the loss of sale of the property to help fund the project.

According to the report, renovating the current town hall would result in $706,250 to comply with the AODA and nearly $2.9 million in capital repairs. Those are in 2024 dollars.

“In considering the above information a total capital investment in the range of $4,493,917 to $6,493,917 would be required at the existing Town Hall. Further this investment does not provide for growth, will likely only be of value for two to five years and costs may be higher once tendered. Those investments would not address current deficiencies related to providing service to the community; residents will still need to attend various sites for different services; parking limitations are not able to be addressed and council chamber size and lack of modern amenities and systems would still hinder resident engagement,” the report states.

The report outlines projects other municipalities have undertaken including new municipal offices council chambers, library and senior centres in LaSalle in 2012 ($12.2 million new build), new municipal offices and council chambers in Windsor in 2018 ($43.9 million new build), new municipal offices and common space in Tecumseh in 2020 ($3 million renovation), new municipal office space in Essex to be completed in 2026 ($6.3 million renovation), new municipal office space, cafeteria and committee rooms at the County of Essex in 2025 ($7.5 million renovation), Chatham-Kent’s renovation of a former Sears store into municipal offices and a community hub in 2025 ($53 million renovation), a new town hall, council chambers and community hub I the Township of Tiny to be completed in 2027 ($25 million new build) and the conversion of a school to municipal offices in New Tecumseth in 2024 ($15 million renovation). The full report is on the town’s website at www.amherstburg.ca. 

Town hall options to be discussed Oct 27

By Ron Giofu