A well known downtown Chatham resident believes a recent municipal survey to gather public input and gauge public opinion on the Downtown Chatham Centre (DCC) is flawed.
Clair Culliford told CK News Today the survey done between August 15, 2023 and September 22, 2023 on the possible move of the Civic Centre, Chatham-Kent Museum, and Thames Art Gallery to the DCC is biased and "clearly" favours the move.
Culliford believes the survey is a sell job by the municipality and hopes it hasn't already made up its mind on what it wants to do.
"A, I hope not, but B if this survey is an example of what the municipality is thinking, then I would be inclined towards that they've made up their minds entirely," said Culliford.
Culliford called the survey absurd and believes taxpayers are being tricked.
"It is a schmozzle and I don't think I've ever talked to anyone who doesn't think it's a schmozzle. If anyone had the current facts and figures I think most people who thought it was a good idea would say I don't know about this," he said.
Culliford is calling for a new survey.
The municipality told CK News Today it has not made up its mind on the possible move and the survey was designed to gather information to allow Council to make an informed decision.
"First and foremost, we would like to emphasise that there is no bias internally and I think it’s important to reiterate that it is not Administration’s decision on how we move forward with the Civic Centre, it is Council’s decision," said Chatham-Kent's General Manager of Development Services Bruce McAllister.
Chatham-Kent's Manager of Corporate Communications Eric Labadie told CK News the survey received 1,146 responses and the respondents are split 50-50 on the issue. Labadie added that only 18 people had an issue with the survey.
The new plan for the DCC doesn't include a 4,000 seat entertainment complex with an arena because the owners no longer believe it's feasible. The owner group now plans to "revitalize" the mall and the municipality is being asked to buy the former Sears building and relocate the Civic Centre and some municipal services to the site at a cost of nearly $42.4 million.
Other options include doing nothing and addressing issues as needed, renovating the existing Civic Centre at a cost of $30-35 million, expanding the library and cultural centre that would bring the price tag up another $8.7-$10.8 million, and building a new Civic Centre at a new location with a price tag of $70-$80 million.
The municipality estimated the cost of renovating the former Sears building at $53 million and the parking garage at another $1.5 million. The municipality could recoup roughly $8.3 million if they sold the current Civic Centre and library branch. The Civic Centre is appraised at $6.6 million and the library branch is worth an estimated $1.66 million.
Administration is reviewing public comments and weighing each option until October 11, 2023. The Council report is expected to be posted on the municipal web page on October 26, 2023 and goes before Council on October 30, 2023.