After a lengthy discussion, and a long list of public deputations, Chatham-Kent councilors approved taking the next step for the community hub proposal on Monday night.
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Council voted in favor of proceeding to the detailed design phase for the project, which would involve moving the civic center, library and museum to the former Sears building at the Downtown Chatham Centre.
Architecturra Inc., which gave a presentation Monday with design renderings, will perform the work for $2,177,683, including HST, to be funded from the buildings lifecycle reserve.
The matter will return to council for approval prior to proceeding with the construction procurement process.
Administration was also authorized to hire a contracted project manager for a nine-month period for $105,839, funded from the same reserve.
The overall cost of the project, if it moves ahead, is $53 million.
South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci entered a successful amendment asking that administration return to council with high-level cost estimates for upgrading the civic center, library and museum to the same standards proposed for the community hub.
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He had an additional successful amendment asking that a fixed cost request for proposals be implemented to prevent any overruns, and that detailed project costs will be determined before the project moves forward.
Due to the length of the meeting, several agenda items were postponed to a later date, including a motion from North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville to seek a staff report on holding a referendum on the community hub.
Monday’s full report, with links to related materials, is on the municipality’s Let’s Talk page at letstalkchatham-kent.ca/community-hub
This story will be updated.
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