In conversation with Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison last week, Doppler asked whether there’s truth to rumours that there are plans in the works for the former Empire Hotel lot. He was quick to set the record straight.
“You’re actually not asking me a question in my role as mayor. This question is in my role as real estate agent,” he clarified noting that he is also a realtor with Coldwell Banker.
Aitchison confirmed that he’s been working with a client on trying to develop that corner of the downtown. He said his client had an accepted offer on the Empire lot with plenty of time for due diligence as his vision involved several properties. “My client had an offer on the Empire lot… He had a deal on 15 Main and he was trying to get a deal on the Dominion building and he wanted the (former) Beckers building and the library as well,” he explained.
Plans were in the works for a 38,000 foot grocery store with underground parking, additional parking on the ground level and space for a brand new library on the second floor. The idea would have seen the Town, or library, contribute its property to the project in exchange for a bigger and newer space that the library could rent at an amount similar to maintaining its own building. The municipality, in exchange, would see that area of the Town developed as well as adding much needed parking downtown.
The reason that’s a good idea is for a lot of reasons. It would actually create over 200 parking spots in our downtown core, get us a grocery store downtown (and) get us a brand new library twice the size. The library does want to expand and they see themselves needing to raise between $3 to $4 million. I don’t want them running a capital campaign right now. I want all capital campaigns focused on the hospital because it’s the biggest issue we are facing right now.Mayor Scott Aitchison
He also said that because municipalities are required by the Province to have capital asset management plans in place, owning property can get very costly.
“We would’ve had to borrow money and pay down that mortgage and at the same time while paying down that mortgage be putting money aside every year for the capital replacement program. So what I’ve learned since becoming Mayor is that in some cases it doesn’t make sense for the municipality to own the real estate.“
He said the library would be paying rent for a brand new 20,000 square foot space, “which would basically be the same as the amount of money we’re putting away in the capital asset management program.”
Unfortunately, he said, the deal fell through. “To get all parties on the same page at the same time didn’t work out,” he explained. “Part of the problem my client has is he doesn’t have bags and bags of money to spend millions of dollars buying a property in Huntsville, with the hope that he could put it all together. He likes to get them under contract and then do all the due diligence to see if he can put it all together and then close.”
While the prospect fell through, Aitchison said he remains hopeful. He said he’ll be knocking on the doors of a few potential investors with deep pockets to see if there’s interest. He said he’s been told by one of the listing agents that there’s also interest in the property from someone out West.
The Empire lot is owned by the two sisters of the late David Keay. He was the owner of the former Empire Hotel when it burned down in October 2009.
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It’s quite sad. I spent my EVERY summer in Huntsville during my elementary school years ( my grandparents had property next to then mayor Gordan Snell in Stephenson township) I can still recall when EATONS had a store on main street. The municipal savings and loan. I even have a vague recollection of continental bank opening there… but that could be the mind playing tricks!
I can also recall the fight against the mall and walmart back in the early 80’s. I remember Beaver Lumber just at the end of town near hwy 11. I recall taking Ontario Northland to Toronto during the 70’s
I recall the radio ads for Jack Bionda sports.
Was last in town around 2006/2007 and was sadden how the main street looked third world with boarded up stores. Made me sad. Ruined all my childhood memories. Decided I would never return.
I didn’t want my childhood memories of the town shattered since to me Huntsville turned into some desolate hole. Perhaps it’s nostalgia and Huntsville never was that wonderful. I would love to see it revitalized to what I remember ( or I delusionally remember – we all know that time tricks the mind)
I understand the concept of a downtown grocery store, and underground parking. BUT… this is Huntsville not Toronto. The economics of underground parking in Toronto versus small town Ontario just don’t make sense I am sorry to say.
If the idea of small, town-centric shops could be restored, I maybe dreaming but i sincerely hope that bakeries, restaurants and small family owned shops could return to the main street
I know I am an outsider but rather than look for the quick fix, which may fail ( which is what real estate agents always do — get that commission) I think the town needs to think – What is really needed? What can help bring business back to main street? What is sustainable for 5 years or 10 years ?
No offence to the current mayor but he needs to think as a MAYOR NOT a real estate agent. He needs to think ahead 10 or 20 years not to the commission cheque.
I hope Huntsville will rebuild the downtown one day.
And who could afford those two specialty stores?
Without prejudice, kudos to Mayor Aitchison for correctly responding as a real estate agent initially. Then, however, he morphed into His Worship as he attempted to “sell” this development concept. While I empathize with his having two employers, his duty to the Town must always come first.
Consider the situation when this development proposal, or one of a similar nature, comes before Council, the Planning Committee or the Committee of Adjustments. Regardless of the Mayor’s presence (because he would correctly declare a pecuniary conflict of interest), he has already used the media to express his opinion. Furthermore, characterizing his client as not having “bags and bags of money” is a violation of confidentiality. In the future, one would hope that Mayor Aitchison would show more discretion in both his workplaces.
With respect to the proposal, it has much to recommend it: bi-level parking with appropriate access/egress on High Street would be perhaps the greatest benefit. The Rivermill Parking lot could be closed with its central street cul-de-saced; making the entire Park contiguous. The Library/Becker’s property would be available for affordable housing in a far better location. I totally support the grocery store for all the downtown foot traffic; although it seems rather overly large. Some type of rent control must be applied to the Library, or it will soon outstrip the contribution to the asset management program. Finally, an elevator is required to access any areas used by customers, to ensure that persons with ambulatory disabilities are not disadvantaged.
Perhaps a specialty grocery store like a Pusateri’s or Longo’s, not a super store.
Exactly what I was going to say Mike. There has always been a grocery store downtown, right up until a short while ago. All the stores along that side of the street need revitalizing and this plan sounds like the right choice. Affordable housing could go on the upper floors of whatever is built there. Even above a new library.
I think the idea of a mixed use development including a grocery store would be a good anchor for the downtown.The downtown needs to draw more foot traffic to not only shop for groceries but would likely utilize other retail in the area.Having more people living downtown would also create more vibrancy there and revitalize center town rather than have retail sprawl all over the map.
The Mayor and potential developers should be commended for their efforts into getting things going downtown.
Let’s also remember there were 2 grocery stores downtown the Dominion and Loblaws store.
A grocery store in our historical downtown? I think not. We do want people downtown but not by way traffic congestion. Would rather see multi-residential condos or rentals and more businesses but not big box stores. Huntsville in the last twenty years has always maintained a vision for our downtown core by keeping town hall, the library, the theatre, the high school, the Summit Centre, the park, etc there.
We have plenty of grocery stores in town with good parking.
Green space I agree with but with River Mill Park …G8 flag Park ….and extensive dock work in town as the floating dock at town there other end of the Town even I think there are a lot of places to enjoy a green space as opposed to a small lot with concrete on 4 sides, traffic issues, busy area if you have little ones.
Would love to see a green area something like Bracebridge has. Sitting areas with benches or picnic tables and maybe some parking on the Becker’s side.
I don’t think that would be an ideal spot for seniors housing, BUT, we really need affordable Senior housing in this town!
This town needs AFFORDABLE Senior housing. This location would be ideal with easy access to all amenities.
Huntsville doesn’t need another grocery store and the library is a wonderful building.
HUNTSVILLE NEEDS AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING !!!!!!!!