Following a report from City Administration that was presented in closed session lastnight, City Council has, subject to ratification, approved the sale of a Hardisty Street property to a private business.

The property, located at 201 Hardisty Street, was advertised for sale in October 2019 and an offer was conditionally agreed upon in early December. The report recommended the City sell the property that consists of half of the building on the north/west corner of Hardisty and Leith Streets. It was acquired by the City due to outstanding taxes.

“At the time a request was received to donate the property, the City had already entered into a conditional agreement to sell the building to the owner of the other half of the building,” said Mayor Bill Mauro. “The City has established programs in place in an effort to provide fair and equitable assistance to the many not for profit and charitable groups that seek real estate assistance from the City.”

The following programs are currently available by the City:

1. The Land Related Financial Assistance policy provides a 25% discount to a maximum of $25,000 to all qualified organizations.
2. The Community Partnership Fund. Groups may make application to the Fund for assistance in the form of cash or land contributions to assist with major capital projects with a total cost exceeding $100,000. The maximum grant is 25% of the eligible capital cost of the project.

“Both of these programs are available to the Underground Gym just as any qualifying organization,” added Mayor Mauro.

The property has various complicating factors including building code issues and environmental approvals related to changing use, and liens on the building that are settled out of the proceeds when the City sells a vested tax sale property.

“The programs we offer to charitable organizations are well utilized at an expense to the City of approximately $150,000 annually,” said Joel DePeuter, Manager – Realty Services. “Every year the City assists a dozen or more organizations by way of cash grants, land sale discounts and discounted rent. The list of agencies that the City has helped continues to grow.”

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Contact: Joel DePeuter, Manager – Realty Services, 625-2545