If you noticed the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce building had been listed for sale and thought to yourself, ‘hmmm, that’s a nice building in a great location, maybe I’d like to buy that,’ you are not alone.
The building, located at 8 West Street in downtown Huntsville, was listed for sale in August of this year for $479,000. The Chamber has received a conditional offer to purchase.
“Yes, we have an offer on the building,” said Kelly Haywood, Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
“The Board has accepted the offer. It has a number of conditions attached to it with a closing the end of January.”
At last month’s regular council meeting, councillors dealt in closed session with the first right of refusal the Town has to purchase the building and parking lot. The first right of refusal is in place as a result of the public washrooms that are located in the building but were paid for by the Town. Councillors decided not to exercise the first right of refusal with respect to the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, clearing the way for the Chamber to accept the offer.
The washrooms are an issue, Haywood admitted. If the new owner does not want to continue with the agreement with the Town to operate the washrooms then the Chamber is responsible for paying out the remainder of the debt left owing on them, approximately $78,000. However, according to Haywood, the purchaser has expressed their intention to continue with the agreement.
So where is the Chamber planning to go? “We will be moving,” says Haywood. “We will be looking for space. We definitely don’t need as much space as we have now. Our long-term vision is to create something on Highway 60. There is Town-owned land on Highway 60 and we would like to work with the Town in a private/public partnership to create an inviting space.”
Haywood says that while it’s been really great being located in the downtown it doesn’t really serve the needs of the community.
“I always say, if you found us you probably don’t need a map any more – because you found us!”
To find a new home to satisfy their short-term needs, Haywood says she has been knocking on doors of existing businesses to see if they would be interested in sharing their location.
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