Moncton councillor wants city to withdraw support for Moncton High proposal

A Moncton city councillor said he's worried about a lack of information from one of two proponents interested in developing the former Moncton High School property, and wants city council to withdraw its support for the Terra Trust and Bird Construction project.

"By the end of April … 2017, (Terra Trust and Bird) was to present financials as well as make public presentations," said Coun. Shawn Crossman.

"The public has been inquiring, as you know, on this proposal and nothing has come out forward to the public."

At Monday night's city council meeting, Crossman read a notice of motion, hoping to get unanimous support to add the matter to the agenda.

Terra Trust and Bird Construction submitted the proposal to council in January and council did not reveal any details, saying was up to the authors to decide when to let the public know what they had in mind.

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Coun. Paulette Theriault spoke in favour of Crossman's idea on Monday.

"We gave them until April 30 and now we are May 15 and we haven't heard from them and I guess we're not prepared to ask them to come back to the table or to present something," said Theriault.

"It's a bit frustrating."

Council supported both proposals for school

Crossman said when the Terra Trust and Bird Construction plan was brought forward earlier in January, he didn't support it because there were "no financials, no backing, no support for the theatre and gym."

But city council did support the proposal in the form of a letter to the province.

It also supported a proposal by MH Renaissance Inc. to turn the building into a cultural centre, with the Moncton Public Library as a possible anchor tenant.

Crossman said he's been hearing from constituents wondering what's in the Terra Trust and Bird Construction proposal.

"You know we have a great heritage property that is the cornerstone of Mountain Road, and the cornerstone of Moncton, you know, built by Monctonians," he said.

"To let this project continue just with the uncertainty is a real disappointment."

Province owns property

Approval of the sale of the former Moncton High School property rests with the provincial government. Until its sale, the province owns the property and pays to maintain the building.

"The process in regards to the old Moncton High School continues to move forward, but no final decision has, as yet, been reached." said Jeff Hull, spokesman for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

CBC contacted Terra Trust and Bird Construction but received no reply.

Crossman's motion did not get enough support on Monday but was added to the council agenda for June 5.