Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is inviting private developers, housing providers and other community builders to submit proposals under the city’s Access to Land program. Through this call for submissions, three city-owned properties are available for potential purchase by proponents who commit to building new housing within a defined timeline.
They are:
- 89/0/0 Hudson St.
- 84-94 Park St.
- 72 Corey Ave.
The Access to Land program supports the city’s objectives to increase housing supply, encourage infill residential development, and make better use of surplus municipal land.
Interested proponents are asked to submit a proposal outlining their development experience and capacity, a proposed development concept, project timeline, affordability considerations, and purchase offer. Details about the available properties and submission requirements are available on the city’s website: www.saultstemarie.ca/accesstoland.
Eligible projects may qualify for financial incentives, including grants for housing and rebates on municipal fees.
Submissions will be accepted until May 8, after which proposals will be evaluated using a scoring matrix. Submissions that include affordable housing, family-sized units, sustainable building features, or other community priority elements. The highest-scoring proposal will be recommended to the City Council to approve the sale.
Additional properties are expected to be added to this program periodically over the next two years. All sales of surplus land will be subject to a public hearing and approval by council and follow the process as set out in the surplus property by-law, 2022-142. Once the sale is approved, the city and the successful proponent will sign a detailed sales agreement with conditions/timelines on development. The successful proponent will be responsible for commencing and completing construction within the agreed-upon timeframe outlined in the sales agreement.
The program makes under-utilized, surplus city-owned properties available for purchase by developers who commit to delivering new housing within a defined timeline.
Developers and interested parties can monitor available opportunities through the city’s website or contact the Planning Division at pl******@********on.ca to be notified when new properties are listed.
