Residents respond to survey

03/02/2004

BY MICHAEL-ALLLAN MARION
EXPOSITOR STAFF / BRANTFORD

Councillors John Starkey and Marguerite Ceschi-Smith want to clarify that the city is not connected to a questionnaire circulated by developer King and Benton to residents about plans for the Greenwich-Mohawk brown-field area.

The survey is titled "Greenwich-Mohawk Eagle Place Development Community Advisory Committee," and outlines the intentions of King and Benton.

King and Benton, the document says, "plans to redevelop the Greenwich-Mohawk Eagle Place site and has begun the process of developing its proposal for Brantford council to consider."

The two Ward 5 councillors say the company is encouraged to come forward when council launches its implementation plan and proposal calls from the private sector to clean up and revitalize the contaminated, derelict 52-acre area. But they want the neighborhood to realize the company is acting on its own at the moment.

"I think it only appropriate. To clarify that neither city council nor the community Brownfield’s advisory committee has either endorsed; or is a participant in this planning exercise," Starkey told council Monday.

"I would advise those who choose to participate in this survey that their opinions are being solicited, for use by a private venture, and not on behalf of the city."

The city, through a team of consultants, has already conducted a major study of the Greenwich-Mohawk area, complete with focus group sessions and four community meetings, to draw up a broad redevelopment plan.

Ceschi-Smith said she has received calls from many people throughout Eagle Place and Echo Place who are concerned about the questionnaire. Many were at the community meetings less than a year ago and wonder if the company's survey is replacing all the previous work.

"We are looking for private-sector partners and King and Benton is one of the prospective companies we hope will come forward," she said.

But she stressed the implementation plan, which could be released to the brown-fields committee as early as the next meeting, will take into account the study already done.

The Expositor has been getting similar calls. In an interview three weeks ago, company president Steve Charest said he is aware of the city's work to date and his company is drawing up a proposal that will take the original study into account.