EDITORIAL: Properties for grabs?

Asked about the city’s interest in a couple of key downtown north core properties that owe the municipality tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes, city manager Tim Commisso had little to say.

“No comment,” was the specific answer.

On Monday city council made its first move to recover the funds, approving a list of 122 properties that could be sold  as early as next June if the outstanding taxes aren’t paid.

Included on the list is the Shoreline Hotel, at 61 Cumberland St., which owes the city nearly $93,000 in back taxes.
The Lyceum Theatre, at 22 Cumberland St., owes $57,430.

Both properties are smack dab in the neighbourhood of the proposed event centre’s downtown location core, and both could prove to be very valuable commodities should the project be okayed for the Water Street bus terminal site.

While the city won’t say whether or not they’re interested in the properties, it’s hard to imagine they aren’t.

And interestingly enough, under the Municipal Act, the city can deem them to be of interest and bid on the properties themselves.
It’s all a moot point if the taxes are paid.

With so much discussion in the community about parking, this could be just the opportunity north core supporters have been waiting for to alleviate those concerns.

Stay tuned.