Only one bidder
is interested in carrying out the
city's $100-million Greenwich-Mohawk
brownfield cleanup and redevelopment
project.
By the close
Tuesday afternoon of the period for
responses to a request for
proposals, only Terrasan Corp. had
made a submission.
Terrasan was one
of four pre-qualified bidders. The
others included a partnership led by
Kilmer Brownfield Management Ltd.,
another led by Associated
Brownfields Inc., and a consortium
of companies led by Empire
Communities.
A staff and
consultant team will evaluate the
Terrasan proposal. The details will
be unveiled at a public meeting
expected in May.
"I'm disappointed
we got only one proposal," said Coun.
Marguerite Ceschi-Smith, who has
been pushing for the rebirth of the
52-acre industrial wasteland for
more than a decade.
"Quite obviously,
the economy is tanking and companies
are finding it difficult to secure
the necessary financing for an
expensive, complex project."
She also said the
native land claims issue was also a
factor causing companies to hold
back.
"I've heard it at
brownfield conferences and other
places,' she said. "It's out there."
Ceschi-Smith was
"delighted" that Terrasan had put in
a proposal.
"That company has
a very good reputation," she said.
"We will look closely at its
proposal. Maybe what's in front of
us is a very good thing."
The city will move
quickly to hire a new manager of energy
and environment conservation to replace
its first hire in the new position.
Sandra Lawson, general manager of
engineering and operational services,
confirmed Tuesday that the process is
already in motion to hire a replacement
for Michael Triska.
He
was hired in December 2008 to oversee
the implementation of the city's new
environmental plan deigned to find
energy savings and implement
environmentally sustainable practices in
city buildings and operations.
Members of the citizen-driven
environmental policy advisory committee,
as well as advocates at large, have been
anxious about the future of the position
and the program since Triska quietly
departed his position less than three
months after starting, with no
explanation given to them.
The administration has been largely mum
about his departure ever since.
"There was a difference of opinion
between the city and the manager,"
Lawson said Tuesday.
"We are going to replace that position
as soon as possible."
Triska could not be reached for comment
Tuesday.
"It's extremely important to find a
replacement soon," said Coun. Marguerite
Ceschi-Smith, a member of the committee.
"It's very unfortunate that we've had a
setback because we're long overdue in
getting a handle on the environmental
and energy costs the city is incurring,"
she said.
"The city must be a good role model in
promoting sustainability."
.
. .
The waterfront master plan process is
moving forward to the next stage.
Councillors have endorsed a staff report
containing the formal terms of reference
for a master plan study, and have OK'd
the issuing of a request for proposals
for a consultant to write the document
at a cost of $250,000.
The master plan is meant to guide the
city's approach to environmental
protection, habitat , public access,
recreation, public ownership and
development policies along the Grand
River from the point that it enters the
city in the northwest to where it leaves
in the Oxbow area.
The terms of reference were developed in
a consultation process that included
staff interviews with advisory
committees, public agencies, business
groups and developers, as well as a
workshop involving close to 100 members
of the community.
"I'm very encouraged that we're moving
on to the next stage," said Kinneman.
"We've had a very good public process
that has given is a lot of information
and a lot of community input in writing
the terms of reference. It will be very
clear to the consultant what the
community wants to see in a master
plan."
The proposal call still requires final
council approval on Monday.
