The now-vacant building on Brighton Road came up during question period in the legislature on Friday.
It has been vacant since March 2015.
“There is still some property on the site that is being stored there,’’ said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Paula Biggar. “Once the building is declared surplus my department has a process in place.’’
That process includes consultation with the First Nations, other levels of government and consideration of the public interest as well.
Liberal MLA Jordan Brown, who represents the Charlottetown-Brighton riding, said it’s his understanding that departments and agencies must declare any property surplus and convey the property to the Department of Transportation before that department can dispose of it or determine an alternate use.
“In the case of the old PE Home this has not yet occurred. Could the member inform the house whether the Department of Health are actively considering the status of the old Prince Edward Home with the view to conveying it to the Department of Transportation,’’ Brown said.
Biggar responded that while Health P.E.I. does have some property at the building it has indicated it has no interest in retaining the building.
“So, once the documents are in place we can begin that process of consultation and move forward towards a decision about this property,’’ the minister said. “We know there is a great interest in this property. All options are considered with the best public interest in mind.’’
Brown said the building has been vacated two years and things are beginning to drag on. He pressed the minister to keep the lines of communication open.
Biggar said her department has been in constant communication with Health P.E.I. and other departments.
She added that her department has been actively part of talks with the City of Charlottetown which has repeatedly voiced its hope that the building be demolished and the land turned into green space.
Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee also suggested that since the home had a palliative care purpose that a memorial garden might be a good idea.
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