Chatham-Kent council has its eye on the Downtown Chatham Centre again.
Councillor Brock McGregor successfully entered a last-minute motion at Monday night's council meeting, directing staff to prepare a report on options for the relocation or redevelopment of municipal assets, including the Civic Centre, to the building at 100 King Street West in Chatham.
There was some opposition to the timing of McGregor's motion, but no votes against the motion itself, which passed with unanimous support the same night as it was entered.
Councillors Steve Pinsonneault and Trevor Thompson both voiced concerns about the apparent "rush" to enter the motion while Councillor Mark Authier asked for clarification on why it needed to be voted on right away.
In response, Councillor McGregor noted that the next CK council meeting is on July 12, adding that if his motion had to wait until then, it could be "some time" before administration came back with a report on the issue.
"It is just asking for a report, there is no financial commitment or commitment to moving forward," said McGregor. "As we know, the investment group has already reached out with interest, so it really is just to get a report as quickly as we can."
A notice period is usually required for motions that are introduced at Chatham-Kent council, but McGregor received the two-thirds majority support needed to vote on his motion the same night it was introduced.
Municipal staff will now come back to Chatham-Kent council with a report on the issue at a future meeting.
The new ownership group at the mall includes Rob Myers, Don Tetrault, Jessica and Pete Tsrimbis, Ron Nydam, and Jim Bullock.
They are currently seeking ideas and welcomes suggestions on how to best use the space in the future. You can submit your ideas to letstalkchatham-kent.ca by clicking here.