The former Fergus Pool property is going to find new life next year as the staging area for the upcoming rebuild of the St. David Street bridge in Fergus.
Centre Wellington Township has authorized a lease agreement with Denim Enterprises to use the property at 190 St. David Street South for a site office and equipment and materials storage area for the successful contractor of the St. David Street Bridge Rehabilitation project.
On July 24, Centre Wellington’s managing director of infrastructure Colin Baker explained the bridge rehabilitation project is scheduled for 2018.
Baker said that the work – replacing the bridge and bridge approaches – will enter the intersections both north and south of the bridge.
“We recognized there was not a lot of space to store materials for contractors, or to locate a site office trailer,” he said.
With the former pool property currently for lease, Baker said the owner was approached to lease the property during the construction.
Baker said it is efficient for any contractor to have a site office and secure materials area close to the site.
There is approximately 2,000 square feet of vacant office space on the first floor with approximately 7,800 square feet of outdoor space including a parking lot and landscaped areas. There are two doors to access the first floor: one on St. David Street and a second access through the parking area.
Baker noted the bridge contractor will likely install a temporary gate or fenced compound within the parking area to secure equipment and materials for the project.
He added staff are aware of an existing tenant in the second story apartment. The tenant will likely continue to occupy the apartment throughout the lease period.
Conditions related to access/egress, parking and construction impacts (noise and dust) have been included in the lease agreement to address township concerns with the existing tenant.
The second floor apartment has separate doorway access from St. David Street and a fire escape exit through the parking area. Both will be maintained during the lease agreement term.
To reserve the property for township use the term of the lease agreement commences on Aug. 1 and ends on Dec. 31, 2018.
Baker said the lease is $3,272.66 per month. Over the 17 month lease period the cost will be $55,635.22.
The township received confirmation from the Ministry of Transportation that the cost of the lease during construction is an eligible cost under the Connecting Links grant program – up to 90% provincial funding.
Baker said rental of the property prior to construction would remain a township cost.
Council quickly authorized the project.
