July 25, 2007
Caroline Grech, yorkregion.com

Council eyes business case to move town's offices to Yonge Street, Major Mackenzie Drive

Richmond Hill - Richmond Hill councillors have taken the first two steps to figuring out what it would take to move town hall back downtown.

Council has asked staff to build a business case for moving town offices to Yonge Street to spur revitalization of the downtown core.

The move has already been approved in the town’s 10-year capital forecast and was a part of Mayor Dave Barrow’s platform during the 2006 election campaign.

“I think we could do it practically and build a practical LEED (energy efficient) building,” Mr. Barrow said.

The non-descript office building on East Beaver Creek Road just off Hwy. 7, that town staff are in now, is unlike a traditional town hall.

The town owns the land at Major Mackenzie Drive and Yonge Street and also owns its current home.

The mayor was quick to point out that if the report comes back with a hefty price tag, such as a $10-million cost even after the East Beaver Creek location is sold, it wouldn’t get his support or the rest of council.

“We’re not building some kind of monument to ourselves. We’re not going to be chiseling our faces somewhere at Major Mackenzie,” Mr. Barrow said.

“If it’s not practical, I can’t see any of us saying yes.”

While councillors and the mayor are positive about the idea, there were mixed reviews from some residents and businesses.

“First of all, I kind of like where the location is,” Walter Wong, president of the Bayview Hill Ratepayers Association said. “Unless they have reasons why they need to relocate, what value do you get from relocating?

“A lot of people who live in Richmond Hill work south of Richmond Hill, so they pass by it (current town hall) on the way home.”

Adding there are already parking and traffic problems in the Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie area, Mr. Wong believes the arts centre now under construction will go a long way toward revitalizing the downtown core.

“I think the town has done its part with the arts centre,” Mr. Wong said.

But for Richmond Hill resident Nicole Bouchard, the move makes sense.

“I definitely think they should bring it closer. Where it is now is a long way to go to pay a bill,” Ms Bouchard said.

“This is the hill and the centre of town.”

The 300 employees who would move along with town councillors would likely be a boon for businesses in the area.

“I think we’re supportive of Mayor Barrow making the change,” chief executive officer for the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce, Leslie Walker said. “I think it will be great for business in that area.

“Where it is now, it’s really borderline. This would move it into the middle of town. Location is everything.”

At least one business owner has concerns about increased traffic.

“I think it’s great to bring in that extra traffic, but you can’t do it without thinking ahead about parking,” Tina Papadakos, owner of Only You Salon Spa said.

The salon is directly across from where the Centre for Performing Arts is being built, but since construction began at the site, eliminating the parking lot that was there, Ms Papadakos said customers have complained about the lack of parking.

The owner of Richmond Deli, Lisa Lee, likes the idea of town hall being just down the street.

“Why not? It’s good for business,” Ms Lee said.

“It makes sense. It will probably help the businesses,” Linda Rustico, owner of Gifts Baskets and More, said.

The store has been open since June and walk-in customers have been dropping by. But with more things to draw people to the area, business would improve, Ms Rustico said.

Nancy Dier, owner of Books on the Hill, also supports the move. “It can’t do anything but good. I think it would be wonderful. It’s going to bring more people,” Ms Dier explained.

As for parking woes, Ms Dier pointed to a couple of places where people don’t think to park, such as the small lot just off Centre Street, near her shop.

Moving would put town hall closer to amenities such as the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts and the public library, which are both in the downtown core.

Space isn’t an issue for staff at their current home on East Beaver Creek Road, Mr. Barrow said.

The request for a business case to move city hall comes even though there are plans to renovate the town’s existing building to create a contact centre on the ground floor.

Costs of the renovation were in the area of $300,000, the mayor said, a figure he called “minimal”.

Human resources staff would relocate to the building’s second floor to accommodate the centre.

Another second-floor suite will be renovated at a cost of $55,000 to be used for corporate training and wellness activities.

The contact centre is meant to be a one-stop shop where residents can make general inquiries or get permits, work orders and register for programs, among other things.

Mr. Barrow said even if council approved the move of town hall immediately, it would likely take three years before the building was ready, making the contact centre necessary.

This isn’t the first time moving city hall has been proposed.

As far back as 1990, plans had moved ahead to build a new town hall at the same Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie location, along with a new library, but council backed away due to the price tag, estimated at about $60 million for both buildings.

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