At the municipal council meeting on October 3, elected officials submitted a draft loan regulation in order to potentially acquire the building comprising nearly 50 newly renovated housing units.
The amount of 10 million raised the eyebrows of councilor Alain Lacasse, who voted against, as well as some citizens – 16 of them had signed the register, such a procedure being planned when the City plans to borrow. It was.
The opportunity to be seized, mentioned then by Mayor Julie Bourdon, ultimately did not materialize.
Unknown reason for the City’s refusal to purchase
The question of the possible purchase of 94, Saint-Charles Sud was added at the last minute to the agenda for Monday evening’s council meeting.
Mayor Julie Bourdon, Monday evening (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
“We had questions,” said the mayor. We saw the file earlier and decided to add it to the agenda.”
The City therefore decides not to use its right of pre-emption and consequently not to acquire the building comprising 37 3 ½ and 12 4 ½.
The reason? “Following the overall analysis of the file,” the mayor responded laconically to the media gathered in a press scrum at the end of the session.
“I cannot say more, considering confidential elements. We analyzed the file. We did the due diligence [vérifications nécessaires]and we decided not to move forward.”
— Julie Bourdon, mayor of Granby
This analysis of the City was carried out, in particular after visiting the building.
Pushed by the media to comment further, the mayor said little more.
“It’s not a question of the City’s inability to pay,” admitted Ms. Bourdon. It’s like when you buy a house, you analyze the file and you make a decision. I would like to tell you a lot, but I can’t…”
The owner will be notified immediately of the decision taken by elected officials.
Remember that the City had 60 days after being made aware of the purchase offer to decide ― before November 10 ― whether or not it exercised its right as first buyer in order to acquire the property. building.
