A management report asks city council to declare city-owned land as surplus, for the proposed development of a long-term care facility in the city’s north end.
The parcel of land, at 3188 Vivian Line 37, east of Romeo Street, could be used for a 160-bed LTC facility.
The facility will restore and upgrade 60 beds taken out of service when a flood forced the closure of a long-term care facility in the city.
Provincial funding will cover an additional 100 new beds.
Council voted unanimously on Monday night to receive the report and move ahead with staff recommendations to declare the land surplus and negotiate with the LTC provider.
Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma told MyStratfordNow that a lot still has to happen before shovels are in the ground at the 5.7-acre site.
City staff have worked with an LTC provider to narrow the preferred site to Vivian Line.
Though it is a step forward in the process, “all the steps have to be followed, both sides have to come to an agreement and council has to make a final decision,” Ritsma said.
Ritsma said more open sessions for dialogue are forthcoming, and a final decision will be made in an open council session.
