it’s demolition time.

So, it’s demolition time. About $357,000.00 is being spent to demolish Town Owned buildings.

It is part of this week’s agenda. Will any member of Council stand against this poorly timed, expensive item?

For those wondering, here is a list of the properties being cleared out:

– 13 1st Street (Dardanella)

– 14 1st Street (Funnel Tunnel)

– 16 2nd Street North (Old Fire Hall / Transit Building)

– 57 Beach Drive (Splash Building)

– 47 Beach Drive (Perfect Image / Runners Building)

– 41 Beach Drive (Bananas Building)

– 31 Beach Drive (South Beach / Shore Store Building & ATM Building to the west)

– 93 Beach Drive (Old Shed Building, Concrete Splash Pad)

– 40 Mosley Street (Playland Washrooms Building)

What will be left? Well a clean slate for developers to build on.

But THAT is precisely the problem. For 10 years, long detailed processes have been undertaken to ensure development in a way the public supports. We never should have bought the properties but now that we own them, we (Council) has a responsibility of care that ensures best use for these properties!

After ten years (off and on) of dealing with one developer, despite assurances by Council and the developer that shovels would be in the ground… the developer walked. (Or was shown the door)

Now, we are to believe that a new hotel will soon be built and our Main Street pedestrian area will re-open to vehicular traffic and that Stonebridge will build a mixed use community for all to enjoy. By golly, it sounds like a yellow brick road. All of this based on … a single letter of intent from Sunray.

Why should we postpone this demolition? Quite simply… Nobody knows what (if anything) will replace the old buildings or when they will be replaced.

Now earlier in the meeting Thursday, there is another item where Stonebridge will share what they plan to build in their own piece of these lands. Tic- Toc!

Has ANYONE questioned the wisdom of opening a road where it was closed for years? What will be on either side of this Main Street? I have not heard of any plans to provide the traditional “downtown” feel that we have been assured.

The very people who have referred to the main end as our “Gem” are now ready to tear it all down and replace it with dreams. Isn’t it just a little ironic that only a month ago they decided to close the archives which are filled with the rich history that Brian and his 6 followers are about to obliterate.

Tax payers should demand a few things from this irresponsible Council:

– How much is Sunray Paying for the lands they will build on?
– same question for Stonebridge!
– Will these purchases be firmed up prior to taxpayers demolishing most of the remaining infrastructure at the main end.
– Precisely, what will be built to serve the needs of our visitors and residents who choose to go to this area?
– What assurances will there be of “public access” through these developments?

Personally I disagree with the entire plan Smith is pushing. From 1st Street to the end of Beach Two should remain public space…. Period! No developer should make their millions selling off our public property to private land owners.

Anyhow, it will soon be too late to do anything about it.

Remember when Brian Smith said he would do things so fast that by the time we realized what was happening it would be too late? (Yes he did say it… video available) Well, he is living up to that promise.

In future, when your guests visit and say what happened to your “Gem”? Tell them arsonists started removal in 2007 and Brian Smith finished it in 2025.

My opinions on this would change dramatically if we were privy to detailed plans of what will replace the buildings and assurances that iron clad contracts were in place. We have seen too many developers walk away in the past. Will they do it again?

The last time Brian Smith was Mayor, a respected Councilor resigned and I believe he referred to the actions at that time as being a circus. Some things never change.

Thursday will be an interesting meeting. I will be watching.