City council is moving ahead with preparations for the Kingsway Entertainment District, even as a legal fight proceeds in an attempt by opponents to block it.
Meeting on Tuesday, councillors heard that bids have been received for a site excavation contract, with the lowest bid at $8.49 million. The cost of the work will be shared by the city, Gateway Casinos and the property owner, under an agreement that is nearing completion, said Catherine Matheson, the city's general manager of community development.
“This is necessary to get ready for the timelines we have,” Matheson said.
The city is aiming to open the new arena in 2021, and Gateway hopes to open its casino in 2020. But 12 appeals of the zoning changes required to build the KED will be heard by the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal, with a first conference scheduled for Nov. 6. Under provincial legislation, a decision on the case must be made by June 2019.
“We are confident ... that the appeals will show the city has made a good decision,” Matheson said.
The city can take ownership of the land under an agreement it has reached with property owner Dario Zulich and his partners at any time up until Dec. 31, she added.
Mayor Brian Bigger, who voted to keep the arena downtown, said it's clear residents want to move forward with the Kingsway project, as reflected by the support it has on council.
“As mayor, I respect the decisions of council,” Bigger said. “Sudburians want that project done — they want the new events centre.
“We're finally on a path to make this city better,” he added. “I'm encouraging that momentum.”
While the LPAT appeal may slow the project, Bigger said the new appeals body is different than the Ontario Municipal Board, which heard appeals from scratch and had the power to impose its own decisions. In contrast, the LPAT is mandated to give more weight to decisions made by local city councils.
Jason Ferrigan, the city's director of planning, said if there is an issue, the tribunal is mandated to recommend to local councils what needs to be changed in their decision to make it conform to planning rules.
“The intent of that process is to give council a chance to address those shortcomings,” Ferrigan said.
The LPAT will determine whether there are planning issues with the rezoning needed for the arena and parking lot, as well as the Official Plan amendment needed to build the casino. If there are any, Ferrigan said it will give the city 90 days to make changes to their application so it does conform.
