Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional context, and insights from Mayor Paul Lefebvre. For that story, click here.
Original story:
Several downtown properties located to the east of the Sudbury Community Arena are cleared to be purchased by the City of Greater Sudbury.
The properties’ total cost is approximately $12.5 million (including the previously approved purchase of the block on which the Ledo Hotel buidling stands), Mayor Paul Lefebvre said after several votes of city council to purchase properties at tonight's meeting.*
Affected properties include the following described in motions passed by city council, which stipulate they are all to be demolished:
- 151/153 and 161 Brady Street
- 211 Shaughnessy Street
- 219-221 Shaughnessy Street and 170 Van Horne Street
- 212 Minto Street
- The city shall authorize a leaseback agreement with Old Rock Inc. for the continued use of 212 Minto Street for a term of six months
- 212 Romanet Lane
- 222 Minto Street
The city’s elected officials made the surprise decision during tonight’s city council meeting., which started 45 minutes late due to an in-camera meeting running late, presumably to deal with the land purchase issue.
The city’s elected officials were near-unanimous in making the series of decisions. Only Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini voted no, disrupting the meeting several times during his virtual appearance to express his frustration. His microphone was repeatedly shut off.
“This is a historic moment,” Lefebvre said, indicating the money for the properties is coming out of the city’s Events Centre fund (previously earmarked for the since-cancelled Kingsway Entertainment District). “If we don’t make this investment ourselves ... no one will.”
Tonight’s city council meeting was still ongoing at the time of publishing, and this story is developing.
Sudbury.com will update this story with additional explanation from Lefebvre later tonight.
*Editor's note: Lefebvre clarified the total purchase price to Sudbury.com after tonight's meeting, and the correct number is now reflected in this story.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
