Another residential project for Oxford's Human Services department

'Request For Proposals' sought for a Springbank Avenue North property

Deadline is Oct. 19

By Mark Schadenberg

Like all municipalities, the County of Oxford or the county's upper tier of government, must publicly announce all the tenders it is seeking applications. Currently, Oxford has deadlines posted for the acquisition of four pick-up trucks, four cargo vans and a 'request for proposals' for the building of a subsidized not-for-profit apartment building at 175 Springbank Ave North.

The Springbank address is noteworthy as the former site of a Lutheran church, so it includes neighbourhood residential properties on streets such as Springbank, Warwick, Braeside and Edgewood very near.

The County purchased the 175 Springbank parcel with intentions of changing the zoning from institutional to multi-residential. The County, however, has no intentions on owning this new construction for geared-to-income units, but rather seeks a third party to both construct the apartments and manage them. It is possible for a developer to re-sell the finished product.

Woodstock (Actually its Oxford County human services department, of course) has had good success with associations such as Indwell -- 18 Vansittart and Blossom Park.  Other residential spaces include 34 Riddell, 25 Winniett, 45 Delatre, 62 Mill and several other locations. All of these buildings are not owned by the county, but prospect renters could apply to the County for assistance (in conjunction with the landlord manager), and obviously scenarios such as a case-by-case basis apply. 

Current acting mayor Connie Lauder is part of a committee which operates apartments specifically for seniors, including 85 Kent and 675 Canterbury, and the brand new structure at the east end of Nellis. 

Keeping mind that a link to the human services department is below, you must recall that allocating funds to apartments geared to seniors, shelters for homeless, community assisted living for those with physical limitations, food services, children's services such as daycare, physical and mental health, low income energy assistance program (Helps to pay utilities) and employment training are just a few of the department's mandates.

The County's plan for the 1.5 acres on Springbank will supply additional much-needed accommodations in an area with public transit and shopping at its doorstep. The non-profit housing builder / landlord (and its tenants) would then receive on-going financial support from the County. The deadline to submit a proposal is Wednesday, Oct. 19.

While I am not running for City and County seats, I do believe the County office should make stronger attempts to own and manage more properties to create safer and cleaner homes for people who require financial assistance. In an era when real estate values are high, the County's portfolio would be worth much more. 

Also included here is a chart on the basics of Oxford county taxation and where their money goes. 

LINKS:

https://www.oxfordcounty.ca/en/your-government/property-taxes.aspx

https://www.oxfordcounty.ca/en/services-for-you/human-services.aspx

https://oxfordcounty.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/Tenders/en/Tender/Detail/628ad4c0-8caf-43c3-94e2-e9be9e5ebe14

https://oxfordcounty.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/Tenders/en

Mark Schadenberg

On Oct. 24, vote for Mark Schadenberg. 

Your member of City Council must understand all the processes - how budgets and taxes and funding work. 

To contact me anytime, call 519 532-2068

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com