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Mayor Boddy gave this explanation to a local resident when asked about the old Courthouse sale.

Hi Karen

There were differing offers received for the Court House that the prior or present council considered. Heritage preservation and a satisfactory plan for the property were key factors. City staff met and corresponded with Southbridge over several months. After presentations and negotiations in confidence, an acceptable written offer was expected for this property from Southbridge.

The TOM staff had previously decided that they were not interested in this property. When they did express interest, they were told by me that the offer was coming and they were asked to wait for the outcome of that offer and not go public. They chose instead to go public days later and announced a public meeting.

The sale price is based on an estimated fair market value of property less the costs they will invest to remove the jail and walls.

The development of the property by Southbridge will result in construction jobs. In the long term, hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxes will be paid to the City per year, and it will add jobs in Owen Sound. The health services job sector has been one of the fastest growing in the province as the boomer generation ages. We will have a need for more long term care services in the coming years. We have flat line growth and ever increasing costs. We cannot afford to pass up new tax growth, the needed services or good jobs for the next generation.

The long term care industry requires provincial approvals of plans before proceeding. It could take time. Southbridge is obliged to maintain the Court House in the same or better condition in the interim. The buy-back clause protects us from the purchaser sitting on the property, not developing it and not maintaining it. The purchaser cannot alter the heritage aspects of the Court House without approval of council. These conditions were important to this Council.

The City does not have the financial ability to properly maintain all of our buildings and infrastructure. The Court House needs upgrades or it will deteriorate further. We have financial challenges for core service infrastructure, especially after this past winter. This sale is the best option for the care of this building.

This Council chose to disclose the terms of this agreement for everyone to see. We know that some will not agree with the decision however we believe this decision is in the long-term best interests of our City.

Thank you for your questions.