There’ll be no compensation from the township for any construction-related loss of revenues at a Breslau retail plaza, councillors have decided.
The new owners of the Dolman Street strip mall had been seeking financial assistance, perhaps in the way of reduced property taxes, arguing the closure of a portion of Woolwich Street caused a hardship for the business owners.
“The property currently has three tenants, a memorial stone company, a casino coach tour company, and a convenience store,” wrote Colin Carslake of Carslake and Sons Ltd. in an email sent to the township. “Clearly all of our tenants have suffered some loss of business, but with the convenience store the drop in customers has been very significant, probably about 80 per cent, and this is obviously causing serious issues for the owner.”
But the township didn’t buy into that argument for a minute, with director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley noting compensation is not a standard practice in Woolwich or elsewhere.
“It’s unfortunate, but we certainly do what we can to be sensitive to business owners and other property owners,” he said, adding the road was reopened Sept. 6, even as councillors met.
The township put up signs notifying people businesses were still open and accessible, and pushed contractors to move as quickly as possible, he explained.
For Coun. Bonnie Bryant, the fact that Woolwich Street was closed further south than the portion near the plaza, meaning it was still accessible, further weakened the company’s claim.
“I don’t see problems with that at all,” she said in dismissing the request for compensation.
The issue could resurface next year, however, as Dolman Street itself is slated for major reconstruction work. That will likely be much more disruptive to the plaza, Kennaley said, adding there’s an upside as the building could have access to municipal water and sewer services.
“That’s a tremendous benefit to this property owner.”
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