Does Council want any announcement on the cost of buying Bateman high school to be made after the election?

By Pepper Parr

October 9th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

When September 30th came and went I wondered why we had not heard anything from the city on the Bateman High property purchase. We understood that the 30th was the date the deal was to close.

The city wants to buy the property – they don’t seem to want to say how much they will pay – until after the October 24th election.

We asked around – nobody was saying a word.

Councillor Sharman first said to us that: I can say that to the best of my knowledge that the purchases process is proceeding as planned, but may take a little more time yet.

Councillor Sharman: Not certain there ever was a date set fr any announcement.

Then he amplified:
“Was there a definitive public statement that said it would be done by Sept 30th? I always understood completion would be in this approximate time period.

“Being on Council for 12 years leads me to not expect precise times. There are always other things that get in the way. On top of that, other government agencies and their lawyers are involved in finalizing the Bateman purchase/sale and approval, so it does not depend solely on the City. It is a complex transaction.

“As you know, based on the water front hotel, there is no precision when it comes to complex legal land matters.

“This is nothing to do with public statements, other that the city is purchasing the property and it will be announced when it is finalized.

“That has been my understanding from the beginning.

“Perhaps someone made an optimistic comment and that was misinterpreted.”

Back in June – the 6th to be precise, a Standing committee of Council spent a considerable amount of time explain another one of the Kwab engagement plans.

At that June meeting City Manager Tim Commisso said the following:

City Manager Tim Commisso: Didn’t have a clear answer on just when an announcement would be made.

“The bottom line on this is we are in an active transaction right now. We are moving towards making recommendations to our respective Council and also the school board, you know, to the school board.

“So right now, we’re in a position I think we’re this is this is a real estate deal. This is as we move forward. What we’re really looking at and I won’t say that the school board we’ve had some preliminary discussions about following the practice. I think the city is adopted.

“When council wants to release information it’s done. When the actual transaction is complete. It’s important that that happen. Not in advance. And it’s done in a way I think that’s communicated out, you know, pertinent information.

“My understanding is they are looking at a September 30 closing, and that’s actually when the property is transferred, monies exchanged all of that. So it’s actually deals done not in advance with the school board, I will say, we’ve had discussions with them.

“But I just want to acknowledge it has to be done jointly. We understand the interest and we understand the desire.  City Council, I think you can authorize; from our standpoint, but I think we have to respect the fact that the school board and us jointly have to make the announcement.”

,Would it be unkind to come to the conclusion that both the city administration and council do not want the public to know how much is going to be spent on buying the property until after the election?

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4 comments to Does Council want any announcement on the cost of buying Bateman high school to be made after the election?

  • Penny Hersh

    For many of us it feels as if the city does not want this disclosed prior to the election.

    Residents also have to remember that what is finally disclosed will be for the purchase of the building only. It will not include the cost of removing the asbestos ( which is extremely costly) and the renovations required.

    • Hans Jacobs

      It would be wise to consider the cost to Burlington of NOT buying the Bateman property.

    • David Barker

      In response to your comment to the Gazette’s October 5th article on this subject I put this unanswered question to you.

      “How do you know the unconfirmed amount of $50 million does not include costs for any asbestos abatement or renovations?”

      You make a similar definitive and emphatic statement here.

      How do you justify your statements? Do you have inside knowledge or are you just jumping to conclusions, as is your way?

      Will you answer the questions?

  • Hans Jacobs

    Re: ““So right now, we’re in a position I think we’re this is this is a real estate deal. This is as we move forward. What we’re really looking at and I won’t say that the school board we’ve had some preliminary discussions about following the practice. I think the city is adopted.” – This is gibberish. Is there a translation available?