In 1999 the City Of acquired the Auchmar Estate as a result of a property change with developers. It has been clear from the heritage community that the preservation of the Auchmar Estate and all its heritage features is paramount.

A Request for Proposal, (RFP) was sent out nationally in 2003.
Only two submissions were received and both were refused as they involved full development of the estate. (Into a residential sub-division) Staff decided in 2002 to prepare a report on adaptive reuse for the Estate to be sent out nationally and globally for proposals.

To date, the City Of Hamilton has spent over $600 000 for
operating and structural repair work. For a brief period, a film company utilized the Estate and some revenue was generated to offset the costs. Currently, no revenue is being generated by the Estate and over $4 million needs to be spent to preserve the heritage features of the site. Staff will be coming forward with a report on adaptive reuse and with an RFP.

Unfortunately, as SISO is not-for-profit and is trying to secure federal government funding, it would be difficult for them to participate in a request for proposal process. I will be requesting
staff to delay on the RFP until due diligence is done, including consultation with the community to determine whether SISO’s proposal is in the best interest of the tax payer/heritage community. If it is determined that the proposal will not be in the best interest of all stakeholders, then staff will request committee to support a new RFP to be sent out nationally and globally.

Nothing prevents the heritage community from finding an alternative resolution to the disposition of the Auchmar Estate with a sound business case in the next several months. I look forward to
their participation.

In the interim, my support for SISO is prefaced on that they are a good community partner that deserves the City Of Hamilton to provide the opportunity to them and do due diligence before any decision is made.

I would appreciate any comments or questions you have on this subject. Also please feel free to contact me on this or any other issue you have.