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January 2015 Newsletter

Hi all Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
Honestly, it never lets up!
Three important  things happening – even in January!  And one award!

1) THE BAILEY BROOM COMPANY UPDATE:
There is a very short (2 item) Heritage Committee meeting this Monday, Jan 12 at 1 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall where the Bailey Broom Company will be officially designated.   If you are not too busy and could show up in support that would be great. Those present will have an opportunity to ask questions and/or present comments.
Other more recent information on the City’s Request for Expressions of Interest (and the approx. 40 businesses that have looked at this posted item) can be found on the Facebook Page – Friends of the Bailey Broom Factory as well as at the end of this update.

2) WELLINGTON STREET EXTENSION UPDATE:
The Wellingtonx group is doing a five minute PowerPoint delegation to EITP (Environment, Infrastructure & Transportation Policies committee this Tuesday evening, Jan 13 at 6pm at Council Chambers, City Hall.
We will be showing a little of the history of the area, countering current arguments being put forward for the extension, and suggesting future alternative possibilities.  Once again, if you are free, your presence would be appreciated as a show of support.  Those present will have an opportunity to ask questions or state comments.

3) HANK DOORNEKAMP’S PROPOSAL TO MOVE THE OUTER STATION TO DOUG FLUHRER PARK: 
Hank has a been dreaming for a long time about taking apart the stone part of the old train station on Montreal Street and putting it together again in Doug Fluhrer Park.  His plan is to do this together with his repurposing of 9 North St (the old stone heritage building behind Rideaucrest).  His original idea was to put the Outer Station in the middle of the park but this is really not possible because that is the section with large shade trees that is used most for community events.  He is now talking about placing it in the current parking area at the extreme south end of the park.  He is in consultation with City Staff about this.  More anon in the Feb. update.  You are always invited to write letters to Council to express your feelings on this matter.  Letters actually do make a difference.

4) ON THE WALL AWARD UPDATE: 
a) Great news from the Kingstonist – posted December 23.  We have been awarded recognition as Kingston’s best for 2014. Check it out.  It’s great!
www.kingstonist.com/2014/12/23/on-the-wall-street-art-festival-32692
b) Trillium grant application submitted for August 2016 event.  Here’s hoping!

Happy Winter!
Cheers,
Mary
p.s. More information on the Bailey Broom Company:
a) December 16 update:
City of Kingston, Report to Council, Report Number 15-015, from Cynthia Beach
Subject: Kingston’s Brownfield Strategy 2005-2014 and Opportunities for Municipal Acquisition and Remediation of Brownfield Properties.Presented at Council Meeting, December 16, 2014
“The City recently acquired the property at 305-323 Rideau Street as part of a land acquisition to facilitate the future construction of the Wellington Street Extension. The property includes the former Bailey Broom Factory building. The property does not contain soil and groundwater contamination that would require remediation in order to allow more sensitive residential or institutional land uses and the property is within the City’s Brownfield CIP area of eligibility. The property has never been in tax sale or failed tax sale status and there have been informal expressions of interest to restore and redevelop the property. A heritage easement is being completed on the site for consideration by Council.
The status of the property is such that, in the opinion of staff, there is sufficient probability that a private developer can be attracted to undertake remediation and re-use of the property and therefore municipal intervention is not warranted at this time.”
Contact:  pmaclatchy@cityofkingston.ca
b) And this update from Jennifer McKendry on Friday, Dec. 26:
There are 40 companies, which have downloaded the documents for the sale of the Baily Broom Factory and there are still 30 days left to submit a tender! They are listed at
http://www.biddingo.com/*.main?toPage=landingpage/StPrivateBidDocTaker.jsp&bidOrgId=11000014&tndrId=12915228
Let’s hope at least a few of these companies actually submit expressions of interest.