Owen Sound has established a timeline for the cleanup and renovation of the former CP rail station on the east harbourfront.
Council hopes to start seeking ideas for its redevelopment as early as mid-August.
Economic Development Manager Steve Furness says the first step will be to clean up the grounds outside the building and to clean out debris from inside.
The City will next apply to the provincial Green Municipal Fund for assistance for a study on what renovations are possible.
Once the study is complete — the fund will be applied to again for a low-interest loan plus a grant for the decided-upon work.
Furness’ timeline report expects the Ontario Heritage Trust will have completed a report of the building’s heritage features by the end of August.
The heritage report was a requirement of the sale of the property by the federal government to the city — a purchase which cost over 153 thousand dollars ($153,500) that will be paid over three years.
The report will also help in determining what renovations and what kind of site development will be acceptable.
By the time that report is in — Furness hopes the City will have been able to issue a call for expressions of interest from developers.
After developers have stepped forward with ideas, a public call for proposals will be issued — that’s expected to happen in September.
Furness says people have been expressing interest since the city first announced about a year-and-a-half ago that it would purchase the building.
Furness adds whatever happens — it will continue a harbourfront renaissance that has included the construction of the health unit building and a Shoppers Drug Mart and will eventually include a medical clinic and a dog park.
