More than 100 members of the public packed Belleville city council chambers and some stood at the doorway Tuesday night as four plans were presented regarding the future of Memorial arena and Canadian Legion Branch 99 building.
Three of the four presentations dealt with both buildings, one of them considered only the Legion building.
A fifth company, 1382739 Ontario Limited, decided against making a proposal presentation.
Each presenting company had 25 minutes.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk indicated there would be no questions.
Members of the public will have an opportunity to give their opinions at city council’s meeting December 9.
Council will make its final decision on January 13.
The video of the presentations ise expected to be on the city’s website belleville.ca by 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
An outline of the four proposals, in the order they were presented, is below:
(Gary) Gurcham Cheema
Developer Gary Gurcham Cheema envisioned turning the Legion area into a downtown motel building with 32 rooms and 48 parking spaces.
Architect Nitin Malhotra told council, “There will be single and double rooms throughout.”
There would be an elevator installed and the entrance would be renovated.
Malhotra indicated the company has the capacity to undertake the project .
The architect also said, “The company could do the environmental work…the stars are aligned…it will create jobs.”
He added, “The best way to go green is to approve the use of existing buildings. That’s the green approach.”
Spokesman Jamie Troke added, “It will help sustain and grow the core (of the city)”
(Gary) Gurcham Cheema presentation at Belleville city council, November 26, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
RMS Holdings
RMS Holdings came forward with a $40 million dollar proposal, including twin towers with a total of 150 apartments.
Developer Joe Mancuso emphasized, “It’s not too big for Belleville.”
Architect Al Sortie told council he envisions a “24-hour project not just nine to five.”
It involves storefronts along a colonnade joining the Memorial and Legion areas.
He said there could be a St. Lawrence Market type of project by next June and emphasized Belleville “desparately needs these housing units.”
The plan calls for a sequence of public walkways and rooftop gardens.
They indicated money is not a problem, that in Toronto it would cost $200 million.
The plan envisions parking spots both in the Legion area and across Pinnacle Street.
RMS Holdings presentation at Belleville city council, November 26, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Memorial Village Limited
Peter Knudson spoke on behalf of the Memorial Village Limited proposal.
Knudson told city council the plan was to acquire Memorial Arena and the Canadian Legion properties.
He said the plan would involve having an open colonnade with a “complete market ” at the Memorial.
There would be an agrarian market, seven or eight commercial opportunities that would complement the market.
Knudsn said the idea was to have 14 or 15 residential units on the second floor overlooking the gallery below.
The group’s architect indicated the project would have two phases.
He indicated the outside facade of Memorial would be maintained.
The second phase would involve 40 apartment units in the Legion area.
They indicated they had lined up financial issues with the banks.
Memorial Village Limited had no visuals for its presentation.
Peter Knudson on behalf of Memorial Village Ltd at Belleville city council, November 26, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Taskforce Engineering Inc.
This project was presented for Taskforce Engineering by Hillary Murphy who indicated the Memorial area would have an indoor concourse with a market place.
The second floor would be turned into a retail or business area.
Murphy envisioned accommodating small retail space a with unique shopping area.
A second floor mezzanine would be open to the concourse below.
She indicated the Belleville McFarland Heritage would be observed in some way.
This plan calls for 20 to 24 affordable housing units at the Legion site.
Murphy said, “We are proposing independent seniors living spaces, not large, not families….this community and communities across Ontario need affordable housing.”
Taskforce Engineering Inc. presentation at Belleville city council, November 26, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News0
