Mayor cuts off discussion of roundabout at Second Line and Goulais Avenue

Several city councillors wanted to talk Monday about the possibility of a traffic roundabout at the Second Line – Goulais Avenue intersection.

No cigar.

Mayor Matthew Shoemaker insisted on keeping the discussion focused instead on whether the city should spend $705,000 to buy a commercial building at 628 Second Line West, considered necessary to fix long lineups of vehicles at that intersection.

As SooToday reported last week, city officials have disclosed for the first time that they're considering building a roundabout there, while a previously discussed right-turn lane remains a possibility..

"Okay, council," Shoemaker said. "I don't want to get into too much about whether a roundabout is a good idea. So we're really talking about the acquisition and/or demolition of this building."

Ward 5 Coun. Matthew Scott asked: "Regardless of the direction we go with this corner in the future, be it a right-hand turning lane, a roundabout or nothing, if we do decide to turn it into something, does that decision have to come back to council?"

"Yes, the ultimate recommendation from engineering will be coming back to council for decision," responded Carl Rumiel, the city's director of engineering services.

"I just want to make sure that was explicitly clear to everyone, because I know I've had many people reach out about this," Coun. Scott said.

"This is one of the only major ways into the west end, and it goes from two lanes to one lane right there. So the traffic is backed up.

"I take it daily. I can tell you it's backed up to Cooper, at least you're there for several light cycles. It's very frustrating. And the visibility at that corner is worse for sure, especially with high school students leaving Korah and all that.

"It's a pretty dangerous corner. We've been pretty fortunate, but, yeah, I look forward to whatever we get back," Scott said.

628 Second Line West is owned by Windsor Park Residence Ltd.

The building is currently home to Paw'n Pet Food & Grooming and BST Pawnbrokers.

Shawn Dagenais from Paw'n Pet Food & Grooming wrote this letter to Jeffrey King at the city's legal department, with copies to SooToday and city councillors, after SooToday wrote about the pending eviction of tenants and demolition last week:

Dear Mr. King,

I am writing on behalf of Paw'n Pet Food & Grooming, a tenant at 628 Second Line West, to express our concerns regarding the city's proposal to purchase and demolish the building housing our business for the potential development of a right-turn lane or roundabout at the intersection of Second Line and Goulais Avenue.

We wish to highlight several critical issues that this proposal raises:

1. Impact on Paw'n Pet Food & Grooming and Our Customers: The sudden announcement of this proposal has left our business, which has served the community for years, in a precarious position. Our customers, who rely on our services, now face uncertainty about where and how they will be served in the future. Securing a new location within such a short time frame has proven challenging, leaving our customers in limbo and potentially affecting their loyalty and our business's reputation.

2. Impact on Employment: Due to the uncertainty surrounding this situation, Paw'n Pet Food & Grooming has already had to make difficult decisions. We have notified some of our staff that they will be laid off effective October 31, 2024. This is a direct consequence of the lack of clarity and support provided during this process, and it has created a great deal of stress and uncertainty for our employees.

3. Impact on Animal Welfare: For years, Paw'n Pet Food & Grooming has proudly served as an adoption centre for The Animal Assistance Group, housing and caring for cats in need of homes. This sudden eviction puts the welfare of these animals at risk. Without a secure new location, the future of these cats is uncertain, adding another layer of urgency and concern to this matter.

4. Impact on Multiple Tenants: The building at 628 Second Line West houses not just our business but also East Coast Buy and Sell, CAS Partnership, and Robert Dale. Some of these tenants have been operating in this location for upwards of 20 years, contributing significantly to the local community and economy. All tenants are now facing eviction due to this project. On August 30th, 2024, Mr. Naccarato served all tenants with a 60-day eviction notice, citing that we have been good tenants and thus providing a slightly longer notice than the required 30 days. However, this gesture does little to alleviate the significant disruption and hardship caused by such short notice.

5. Lack of Notice and Compensation: We were surprised and dismayed to learn of this proposal, as no prior notice was given to any of the affected businesses. Expecting four businesses to react, plan, and relocate within 60 days is unrealistic and places an undue burden on us. Additionally, no information has been provided regarding compensation or relocation packages, leaving us to bear the full brunt of this situation. It is also concerning that one of the tenants might not even be aware of their impending eviction.

6. Short-Term Ownership vs. Long-Time Stakeholders: It is particularly troubling that while the short-term building owner stands to be compensated handsomely, the long-time tax-paying businesses and their employees, who have served the community for years, are the ones facing all the hardship. The businesses that have faithfully contributed to the local economy are now left to shoulder the burden of relocation, lost income, and potential closures, with no compensation in sight.

7. Recent Ownership Change and Proposed Purchase Price: Windsor Park Residence Ltd., owned by Frank Naccarato from Century 21 and Paul Finck, purchased this building on December 19, 2023, for a value significantly less than the proposed $700,000 that the city is now offering. In just eight months, the proposed purchase price suggests an inflated return on investment, raising concerns about the valuation process and fairness of this transaction.

We strongly urge the city to reconsider its approach to this project, taking into account the significant impact it will have on the businesses, employees, customers, and animals affected. We also request that the city engage in open and transparent communication with all stakeholders, including providing adequate compensation and relocation assistance to the displaced businesses and ensuring the well-being of the animals currently under our care.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to your prompt response and hope for a fair and just resolution.

Sincerely,
Shawn Dagenais
Paw'n Pet Food & Grooming

Discussions about the pros and cons of roundabouts didn't get far at Monday's council meeting, but councillors did agree to sweeten the deal to reduce the burden on the building's tenants.

The agreed-on selling price had been $700,000 with a closing date of Oct. 31, but King persuaded council to add another $5,000 and to extend the closing date to Jan. 25.

Here's how King explained the sweetened deal:

"Through the negotiation process with the... owners or partners on this building, what they suggested is that they hold a line of credit for that building.

"So with that line of credit, they are somewhat losing money in that instance, because they are paying their creditor. The longer they hold on to the building, the more that interest payment is required."

King said that the city's cost for demolishing the building is estimated around $50,000, depending on landfill expenses.

What's so bad about the Second Line – Goulais Avenue intersection that necessitates such a costly solution?

"It's not a traffic volume issue," Rumiel told council.

"It's an operations issue of the turning movements at the intersection. There is no straight through lane going west, there is no dedicated right-turn lane.

"Through speaking with our operations staff, that has been a real struggle for them to try to refine or optimize that intersection.

"Routinely, we have witnessed traffic stacking up as far back as Cooper, I've been told 500 metres or so in that westbound traffic."

Rumiel said the entire city has speeding issues and this intersection is no different.

Without presupposing the solution might be a roundabout, Rumiel said: "Something like a roundabout, if that was where we landed and that was justified, that would help with speed management on Second Line and Goulais Avenue."