With the Town’s lease for the use of the public washrooms adjacent to River Mill Park expiring at the end of June, councillors had directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for construction of a permanent but seasonal washroom building in the park, rather than extending its lease with Coldwell Banker Thompson Real Estate.
Four interested bidders attended the mandatory site meeting but when the closing date for bids rolled around, none had been submitted.
“In discussions with the contractors, it came down to a timing issue. It came down to the size of project,” Steve Hernen, Director of Operations and Protective Services for the Town, told councillors at the May 25 General Committee meeting. “They didn’t feel it was worth their time, if you will, to invest in the designs and the planning work to move to the next stage.”
Hernen presented a staff report that outlined three options for councillors to consider:
- Hire a building designer to create the necessary documentation and place portable washroom in the park until the new structure is complete;
- Hire a building designer to create the necessary documentation and place signage directing the public to Town hall washroom from the park until the new structure is complete; or
- Enter into a five-year lease with Coldwell Banker Thompson Real Estate for the year-round, existing washroom facilities at 8 West Street North at $700 per month, which includes all utilities (heat, hydro, water and sewer), and building maintenance.
Staff recommended option three.
“I know you turned the lease down and I apologize for bringing it back to you,” said Hernen, “but when I looked at the numbers I thought I’d better bring it back one last time.”
The report presented to committee shows that although that option comes with a higher monthly expense, building a permanent structure in the park would come with a significant up-front cost. A new lease agreement would not include a requirement for the Town to plow snow or cut grass on the property.
Both Councillor Bob Stone and Councillor Nancy Alcock said they’d like to see better signage so people know that washrooms are available. Stone also suggested that a door to the washrooms facing River Mill Park would be a good idea. “Tens of thousands of visitors come to River Mill Park and they don’t know the washrooms are there,” he said.
Committee voted to enter into a new five-year lease with Coldwell Banker and directed staff to look at signage. Mayor Scott Aitchison, who works for Coldwell Banker, declared a conflict and was not present for the vote.
The resolution will go before Huntsville Council in June for ratification.
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Donna Glashan says
At one time, the Parks Manual supported the use of Porta-Potties in all Town parks. When properly maintained, they don’t smell. There are accessible models as well. If some find them objectionable, they could even be hidden by a fence that could be painted by kids or local artists. Why spend so much money??
Kathy Kay says
The idea of better signage is a good one. The washrooms in the Coldwell building are large, accessible, and clean, although that requires significant monitoring. Too many kids use the bushes so some effort will be needed to re-educate the kids and their caregivers.
John Davis says
Based on the $2400 difference per year with no investment on the towns part it would take 40 years to equal the $100k investment. Perhaps a long term prepaid lease might yield an even better price if negotiated well.