MBLDC board here for the long haul: 'We have the expertise'

The Midland Bay Landing Development Corporation (MBLDC) could be around well after the signing of any agreement to develop the property.

During a recent MBLDC board meeting, members discussed how their expertise will be needed after a potential agreement is signed with Georgian Communities to develop the first phase of the waterfront property.

In a meeting recording obtained by MidlandToday, board chair Bill Kernohan pointed out any agreement of purchase and sale would feature a two-year closing to allow all the pieces, including rezoning the property, to be put in place.

“The public will be engaged,” he said. “We will continue to communicate with the public.”

As well, board member Robert Barber said everyone needs to keep in mind this is “still a real-estate transaction.”

“Ultimately, our goal is to make sure this deal gets done,” said Barber, who is a managing partner of Den Bosch + Finchley, “an award-winning design build development firm operating in the GTA,” and acting director of Urbanfund Corp., a publicly traded corporation that focuses on value engineering to maximize its portfolio, spanning from Ontario to Canada’s East Coast.

“We have the expertise.”

Kernohan, whose bio notes he’s managed projects for owners across Canada and internationally as an architect, developer, project manager and management consultant, said the board’s work will also be needed after Phase 1 to ensure Phase 2 gets off the ground.

“This is a long-term role to ensure this vision is realized,” he said. “(The town) still needs the corporation to get to this vision. I believe you still need the stewards of this corporation to get to that vision.”

In 2022, the corporation’s operating budget was $354,000.

Members at this meeting approved a budget of $229,000 that will be presented to council in the new year. That figure includes about $61,000 in honorariums and meeting expenses, with new board members Deputy Mayor Jack Contin and Mayor Bill Gordon declining the money.

“Most of the expenses, you (the town) would incur anyway,” Kernohan said. “The cost of running the board is peanuts.”

He said the budget figure was higher in 2022 due to the hiring of outside consultants, including one to handle the request for quote and request for proposals work that led to finding Georgian Communities.

Gordon said one of the criticisms he’s heard is other municipalities have managed to develop their waterfronts without a development corporation.

“The criticism out there,” he said, adding the corporation needs “to sell keeping the board” in place.

“It’s certainly not about the board (expertise); it’s about the expense of the board,” Gordon said. “I think it’s really important to address the return on investment.”

To that comment, Barber responded: “Collectively, this board has seen every trick, has seen every pitfall and will collectively save the town from themselves moving forward.

“And when I operate on behalf of my own clients, my own practice, that’s how I roll. I know every one of these people on this board takes that role very seriously. Collectively, we’re a powerhouse.”

The board also voted to extend the exclusivity period with Georgian Communities from Jan. 27 to March 15 to allow for public input.

Added board vice-chair John Macintyre: “I just wanted to fully support the direction. I think this is a prudent approach.”

During the session, board members also discussed their decision to hold two public meetings in February, a departure from the board’s earlier position that any such meetings would take place after the agreement with Georgian Communities was officially signed by all parties.

Kernohan said the move follows Midland’s decision to elect both Gordon and Contin, who campaigned on the concept of a “pause and rethink” when it comes to the development.

“We need to bring these people (residents) up to date,” Kernohan said, noting the first session will “not really be much of a conversation, but more education.”

The following week’s session, however, will allow residents to provide input on what they’d like to see should the property be developed.

“This has all been discussed with Georgian, who are amenable to this,” Kernohan said. “We feel this is a good approach. We believe this is a very useful process to go through because we heard second-hand that the public wanted this. This is what we think makes sense.”

The first session is scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 4, with the second occurring the following week. While the exact time and location haven’t been pinned down, both Gordon and Kernohan favour the Midland Cultural Centre as the locale.

Added Contin: “Because of the high density in Phase 1, they (residents) want more public space.”