City council has its work cut out for them as they work their way through a 77-page analysis of 16 big project proposals.
The analysis, conducted by the city's economic development staff*, lists the pros and cons of each idea. But Ian Wood, the director of economic development for the City of Greater Sudbury, said this week a more in-depth and complicated review would be needed to make more detailed recommendations.
“As staff, our focus was not favouring one project over another,” Wood told councillors at Tuesday's city council meeting.
The projects themselves include two arena proposals, a new art gallery, main library, a local food commons, a Place Des Arts, a multi-use entertainment and performing arts centre, an assisted-living facility and a parking garage. The analysis for all of them can be found here.
Wood did say the Art Gallery of Sudbury and the main library are looking at working together to share a space.
The next step in the process is a meeting April 26, when councillors will attempt to work their way through the proposals and determine which they will considering supporting. Once the projects have been narrowed down, Wood said city economic development department staff can take a closer look at them and offer more a detailed breakdown.
“This will provide direction to staff,” he said, adding that many of the proposals have the “potential to change the face and fabric of our community. (So) I encourage you to be focused and clear in your decision making.”
Ward 11 Coun. Lynne Reynolds said she would have liked more information, such as what impact each would have on tax rates.
“I think it's important for council to see what we need to come up with if we were to pick 10 projects,” Reynolds said. “We need to have some numbers … A lot of these projects would not affect the taxpayer and I think we need to make that clear.”
“The challenge is establishing that number,” Wood replied.
Some of the projects aren't far enough along to know impact on tax levy, he said, and coming up with such estimates would be a complicated and lengthy undertaking.
So the purpose of the April 26 meeting will be to determine which projects fit with council's strategic priorities, and which they want to investigate further, he said.
“Is this a top priority for council? That's the first question.”
Mayor Brian Bigger said the economic development analysis was intended to determine which projects are furthest along in terms of being ready, and what the city would have to do to shepherd it along.
“This is what we're trying to sort through,” Bigger said. “The whole idea here is to understand what the next steps are … We're going through a methodical process here.”
“In two weeks time, we can winnow them down,” said Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh. “I'm quite happy with the process.”
Ward 7 Coun. Mike Jakubo agreed, saying councillors are “eager” to greenlight projects, but won't skip any steps along the way.
“That will allow council to focus its lens,” Jakubo said of the April 26 meeting. “We are all very eager around this table to make some decisions on these projects … But we do have a process we've identified.”
* An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the analysis was conducted by Greater Sudbury Development Corporation staff. The analysis was actually completed by staff in the economic development department. Sudbury.com apologizes for the error.
