City councillors yesterday decided that the council should examine keeping its options open and making properties that the city owns profitable after a discussion on possibly leasing the city’s Constabu-lary Training Centre on Water Street.
At the council’s first statutory meeting of the year, the possibility of leasing the building was broached after it was revealed that an investor had expressed interest in leasing the property for approximately 25 years. Waterfront property is in high demand by the oil and gas industry.
After the subject came up, Councillor Patricia Chase-Green asked the council if an expression of interest was put out publicly in the media or if the person that expressed interest in the property had been handpicked. She noted that while this individual, who was not named, offered to pay $700,000 per month for the location, if they decided to advertise in the public someone else may propose to pay $1.1 million. As a result, she suggested that expressions of interest should be placed in the newspapers so all interested persons can come forward.
While the matter was being discussed, Mayor Ubraj Narine opened the floor to every councillor to give their views and opinions on the matter.
Councillor Bishram Kuppen stood to say that he was not in agreement with the recommendation to have the facility leased and that it should be maintained and upgraded. He further noted that it is also valuable prime real estate property and that the council should have a training school for its constabulary officers and an alternative should be made if needed.
While Councillor Oscar Clarke also agreed, he noted that monies garnered could be used so that a new training centre can be put up, if the property is to ever be leased. He noted that it has been known that the constabulary has been without a training school and that the facility has been one of the places that the council spends money on but does not use. Clarke reiterated that a new site should be looked at for the council to put a new training centre for the constabulary and that the monies garnered from the rental or leasing of the property must be used for that purpose. “If we leave it like that, we get no money from it. What we’re doing is we have a major asset here that we’re not using and we’re not doing anything about.
A number of other councillors agreed with Clarke. Councillor Heston Bostwick noted that they should agree and have it on record that the city constabulary should and must have a training centre. “I recognise that [we have] several other buildings. Why can’t we make it in one breath to say if we’re leasing that we will convert another and identify that we will know that the resources garnered therefrom will realise the continuation or the new establishment of a training centre?” Bostwick asked.
Another councillor stated that while there are discussions about leasing the property, a fair market price for the property should be discussed as he said a nearby property goes for over $2 million per month.
According to councillor Clayton Hinds, consideration should be made as it relates to where the property is located as the location could bring astronomical investments from investors. He said a location should be identified for the training school to be relocated and that discussions with the investor or whoever is interested in leasing should take place in relation to having upfront payments to facilitate the development. Councillor Michael Leonard pointed to the new oil and gas sector and noted that investors and companies are looking for waterfront properties for storage and other activities. He then added that it may be unwise to have the property leased at such a low cost.
Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick then interjected and suggested that whatever is done, the council must get a fair deal and that the value of the property, which is not known, should be known before any agreement.
Mayor Narine stated that a policy for the review of leases every five years with a percentage increase should be drafted. He noted that without that policy, they should not move forward with leasing any properties. He then noted that the policy should speak to leases during his tenure as mayor.
A motion was then moved to have the issue of leases be referred to a committee for further discussions to be done. The motion was then carried as the majority voted in favour.
