The Town of Collingwood is negotiating the purchase of two local properties that are nearby existing town offices, including one in the downtown core that was slated for a condo development.
Negotiations are underway for the town to purchase 84 Hurontario Street and the current Georgian Triangle Humane Society building and site on Tenth Line.
Following a closed session on Aug. 18, council voted publicly in favour of both purchases, neither of which are finalized.
Located directly across from town hall, 84 Hurontario Street is the site for a proposed development known as the Regent, which was to consist of 12 condominium/ apartment units and ground floor commercial space plus 13 underground parking spaces. The development already has site plan approval.
In March 2022, town staff reported to council that the owners of the property were selling the site.
On Aug. 18, council agreed, unanimously, to allow staff to negotiate the purchase of 84 Hurontario St. with an upset limit of $1.7 million, including a charitable donation of $100,000.
The money will come from the town’s land acquisition reserve fund.
CAO Sonya Skinner said the land is being purchased as a “strategic aquisition” and there would be conversations with the public and council in the future regarding potential uses for the site.
One of the owners of the 84 Hurontario St. property, Craig Marsh, said he would not be commenting on the sale until it was final.
The other land purchase supported by council on Aug. 18 was the current property and building housing the Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS).
In May, GTHS announced it had purchased a property at 135 Sandford Fleming Drive where it plans to build a 19,200-square-foot facility to replace the current one.
According to the town, GTHS would like to sell its existing property and building, and the town is interested because the 549 Tenth Line location is adjacent to the town’s public works yard.
The motion supported unanimously by town council stated the town has a need for current and future accommodations.
Staff have been directed to negotiate with GTHS for the purchase of the Tenth Line property.
