Update to February 25

Following is a brief report of the Board of Directors’ actions to date, since the November 4, 2007 AGM.

Following the November AGM we advertised in the Cape Breton Post, the Halifax Chronicle Herald, the Reporter and the Inverness Oran for Expressions of Interest for development of the Johnstown property.

The Board agreed that Expressions of Interest received would be evaluated by:

• type of development – residential, commercial;


• development attributes – environmentally friendly, architecturally compatible with setting, sustainable;


• contingent on development;


• community access – access to the wharf by members of the local and JCDC community; and price.

A small number of individuals/groups approached members of the Board with questions but we did not receive any formal submissions. However, it become clear that the land could be sold quickly if JCDC members decide to sell it outright, i.e. without covenants.

Prior to the November 4, 2007 AGM, members of the Board had approached several developers in Halifax to determine if development of the site was a possibility. Board members have also been in contact with others who might be interested in working as part of a team to develop the site. This type of approach to development will require time to establish a development plan and build a project team, that would include a developer, architect, civil engineer and construction contractor.

The Board has written League Savings and Mortgage with a request to have interest accrual and mortgage payments waived for two years. This would greatly reduce our monthly operating costs and will buy us the time we need to formulate and execute a responsible development plan for the property. In the event of sale of the property, the remainder of the mortgage would be paid off.

In light of the circumstances, our recommendation is that the Board should:

1. await response from League Savings and Mortgage regarding our request for a 2 year waiver of the mortgage payments and interest accrual;
   continue to pursue developers for the land;
   provide a further progress report to the membership and broader community by June 1, 2008.

Please feel free to write with suggestions or to express concern over this course of action.

JCDC is seeking Expressions of Interest

The Board of Directors of the Johnstown Community Development Co-operative Ltd. (JCDC) invites Expressions of Interest. Our purpose is to sell or lease the seven acre waterfront property located at 15281 highway 4, Johnstown, Richmond County, Nova Scotia. Be advised that the criteria for evaluation will include, but will not be limited to, consideration of community input through the establishment of covenants for use of part of the land and to ensure sustainable development of the portion being sold/leased. Interested parties are asked to submit their expressions of interest in writing to Ms. Rita Campbell, Board Chair, Johnstown Community Development Cooperative Ltd., 15281 hwy 4, Site 16, Comp 7, RR#1, St. Peter’s, NS B0E 3B0 by December 31, 2007.

Aerial photo of JCDC property - circa 1990's

We'll be adding some pictures of the JCDC site in the next few days. Scroll to the bottom of the blog page to see them.

Special Resolution passed at November 3 meeting of JCDC

Special Resolution

That JCDC Ltd. Board of Directors continue to seek partners such as the Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of Antigonish and/or a Developer to follow up on the study of Vibe Creative Group commissioned by ECBC keeping in mind the Guiding Principles of the ECBC report which are to lease/sell the property, to ensure community control over development by establishing covenants for use, to pursue intentional development on the site and to ensure sustainable development through community support for any initiatives regarding the use of the property. To ensure transparency the Board will report to the membership and the broader community with recommendations by March 1, 2008.

JCDC and District 10 Fire Department Update

In October JCDC received a letter from the Fire Department indicating that they no longer wished to honour the option-to-lease and would like to receive back the money they paid for the option. The Board met and agreed to direct that amount of money to the Fire Department when it is viable to do so. A letter has been sent to the Fire Department Chair indicating this.

Final Report: Development Plan & Structural Assessment

Final Report: Development Plan & Structural Assessment. Johnstown Community Development Co-operative, Presented by Vibe Creative Group, September 2007

Executive Summary - Vibe Creative Group

Development Plan & Structural Assessment, Johnstown Community Development Cooperative – Prepared by Vibe Creative Group, September 2007

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Vibe Creative Group was engaged by the Johnstown Community Development Co-operative for the purpose of carrying out the following deliverables:

• Identification, through a needs analysis (in collaboration with the community sessions and client research) the requirements for the product – the future development of the site known as the Johnstown Community Development Co-operative Ltd..


• Structural assessment of the building that addresses issues as identified by the consultant.


• Identification of potential capital funding requirements.


• Recommendations for future development along with next steps.

The potential to redevelop and reuse lands for higher market use is seen as a priority for the community (which extends from Big Pond to Barra Head) on Route 4 in Cape Breton. The results of the Hatch Consultants Condition Assessment were clear – the building should be demolished and removed from the site. The six recommendations produced from the report were as follows:

1. A review and condition assessment of the building structure and its existing facilities shows that the structure has fallen into a state of disrepair and its existing facilities have been taken out of service and modified.


2. From the review and condition assessment, if the existing building is repaired at an estimated cost of $400,000. - $500,000. it will still have limitations due to structure and grade level and that if it is not to be repaired and put back into service, the entire building should be demolished.


3. From the review and condition assessment, it is recommended that the demolition see the removal of the structure from the site, with an estimated cost of $75,000. and that the grade for a new structure be raised (possibly utilizing the foundation as site infill). A recommendation from the consultant’s report is that capital cost for re-development and or sale/lease should be included in the cost of demolition.


4. From the review and condition assessment, it is recommended that the demolition identify salvageable materials (estimated at $7,000.) and that the remaining materials be trucked to a landfill site nearest the community.


5. From the review and condition assessment, it is recommended that a consideration of a new water supply to service a revamped building or a new proposed building be included in the planning.


6. From the review and condition assessment, it is recommended that to develop the existing site for a new building the grade level be raised and that the embankment behind the existing building be utilized to establish the new grade level.

It is critical that the community come together to support any initiative(s) that will be further investigated to determine feasibility for the long-term economic prosperity of the community. An organization, such as Johnstown Community Development Co-operative, would be able to work with all levels of government, individuals and developers to table discussion and negotiate the acquisition and/or development of the site for the common good of the community members.

The community consultation session held on Thursday, August 16 (2007) was very well attended with community members representing several areas (i.e. Big Pond, Johnstown, Red Islands, Hay Cove, etc.). Vibe presented the findings and recommendations of Hatch Consultants as listed above. The consensus of the group was to provide support for the demolition of the building based on funding for demolition and removal.

Vibe then led the discussion to future land development options and potential projects. A number of key issues were discussed including guiding principles of the community (listed in the report) and priority initiatives that would see support from the region.