The City of Charlottetown spent $1.25 million Friday to ensure a prime piece of real estate near the waterfront remains in public hands – and that it remains green space.
City council voted 5-4 at a special meeting to authorize the purchase the lot between Founders’ Hall and Water Street, located at the corner of Prince and Water streets.
The property measures 23,706 square feet. The city bought it from Atlantis Health Spa Ltd. which is owned by developer Paul Madden. The purchase includes a service easement for the Founders’ Hall lift station control panel located nearby.
Related: Newfoundland and Labrador developer finalizes deal for P.E.I. Founders' Hall
Coun. Mitchell Tweel, chairman of parks and recreation, moved the resolution and explained that the property has been used as an outdoor skating rink since 2007.
The property was also the former location of the CN Railway’s roundhouse train circle.
“This was truly a wise investment of taxpayers’ money,’’ Tweel said following the brief council meeting. “This piece of property will be utilized and enjoyed not only by the community but all Islanders and tourists. As the chair of parks and recreation, the more green space that we can acquire for the benefit of our citizens in the city (the better).’’
Mayor Clifford Lee said the land was previously owned by the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC) which sold it to Madden without council’s knowledge about a year ago.
“I certainly received a lot of requests and comments from the community at the time that people felt this piece of land should be in public hands, not private hands,’’ Lee said. “We’ve been negotiating with (Madden) for a number of months to try and get the property back into public hands.’’
Tweel said he’s had his eye on the property since CADC sold it.
“When I saw the (for sale) signs go up I met with parks and recreation staff (and) we went down and did a site visit. This was back several months ago,’’ Tweel said. “I said this site was near and dear to me.’’
Tweel said the site will remain green space and that there are absolutely no plans for any development.
Not everyone was keen on the purchase. Councillors Bob Doiron, Jason Coady, Terry Bernard and Melissa Hilton voted against it.
“$1.25 million for that small parcel of land is a lot of money for a little bit of green space,’’ said Hilton. “Yes, it is down in the waterfront area but we have an incredible Confederation Landing Park right around the corner so I feel it was not the best use of taxpayers’ dollars.’’
Hilton said there are other prime locations that make more sense in terms of buying, such as the former coast guard wharf at the end of Queen Street.
“This green space in front of Founders’ Hall is, in my eyes, a very expensive outside skating rink and gathering area.’’
Madden could not be reached for comment on Friday.
