Public invited to public meeting for former Queen Elizabeth school redevelopment Sept. 25

The County plans to host a public information meeting Wednesday, Sept. 25 for the redevelopment of the former Queen Elizabeth School.

The meeting is set to take place at the Prince Edward Community Centre, 375 Picton Main St., from 6-8 p.m.

At the meeting, municipal staff are expected to give a brief presentation before seeking neighbourhood resident input toward best use of the site at Barker and Centre Streets, inviting a conversation on an integrated affordable housing model.

Following the meeting, staff are to consolidate the comments and feedback and provide them to prospective partners for use as they refine their proposals. Council has directed staff to provide a final recommendation on entering into an agreement with a private sector or non-profit partner in November of 2024.

Questions can be sent in advance to Elis Ziegler, Affordable Housing Supervisor at eziegler@pecounty.on.ca or by calling 613.476.2148 extension 1529.

Background on redevelopment project:
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) declared the school surplus to its needs in 2018. After a federal grant was denied in 2023 to re-develop the site for affordable housing and a community hub, the municipality decided to continue the purchase the 1.8-hectare property, located at 35 Barker Street in Picton, from the school board.

The objectives of the redevelopment project are to come closest to the original community vision for the site including:
– Providing as many affordable housing units as possible, with affordability as defined in the County’s Municipal Housing Project Facilities bylaw
– Creating a community hub, similar to the original vision, for local organizations
– Allowing the municipality to recoup its investment in the property (approximately $1.5 million) within the 2024 calendar year
– Being positioned to move forward with the redevelopment as quickly as possible

An expression of interest (EOI) to the community launched in the summer 2024 saw five EOIs from parties that wish to partner with the municipality to implement County council’s vision.

County to explore five expressions of interest for former Queen Elizabeth school

If you have questions or require further information, contact Adam Goheen, Director of Housing, at 613.476.2148 extension 2509 or email agoheen@pecounty.on.ca