After sitting vacant for three years, it looks like Stratton Equipment Sales and Service is showing interest in doing something with the old Fort Frances High School property on First Street East.
While the exact use for the property has not been revealed publicly yet, several representatives from the company came before council at Monday night’s meeting to speak of their intentions.
The group noted their the plan would be to get rid of 50-60 percent of the building, and possibly keep the newer part and the tech wing.
They already have a good idea of what they want to do with the property, and that this year would be a good time to start their operation there.
Stratton Equipment reportedly has had some negotiation with the Rainy River District School Board on the possibility of taking ownership of the property.
But due to the high cost of demolition, Stratton Equipment is asking the town to consider:
•waiving the tipping fee at the landfill for materials removed from the structure (wood, tiles, asbestos piping, etc.);
•sell a lot on Eighth Street, near Portage Avenue, for $1. This would provide a site for crushed concrete products to be used as a sub-base for the lot; and
•provide 10 years of property tax relief to give an opportunity to demolish, clean, and restore the site, renovate the tech wing for new business, and give the business time to germinate and become economically stable to bear the tax burden.
The request has been forwarded to Economic Development Officer Geoff Gillon and Fort Frances CAO Bill Naturkach for a recommendation. The matter then will come back before council at an undetermined date.
Mayor Glenn Witherspoon showed his whole-hearted support for seeing something happen with the vacant property.
“We’ve tossed this around for three years,” he remarked. “I applaud these people for having faith in the downtown, and trying to develop a commercial venture.
“Expedience in this would be quite important,” the mayor added.
Fort Frances Times
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