Owen Sound Council Not To Renew Long Term Chip Wagon Lease – Video On YouTube

Owen Sound, Ontario – Wednesday, August 31, 2016 – Concerns expressed by local residents online regarding the future of the Market Chip Wagon are based on an incorrect report, which states that “City Hall wants the chip wagon gone.”

At the August 22, 2016 meeting of City Council, the future of the Chip Wagon was discussed. The

business is for sale, and Council gave permission for the lease (which runs until December 2017)

to be transferred to a new owner. In addition, a prospective new owner asked Council to grant a

new 10-year lease, to begin when the current lease expires in 2017.

“Council opted not to grant a new long term lease because of capital improvements that are

expected to take place in and around the market building in the near future,” said Mayor Ian

Boddy.

In the event capital work hasn’t started by the time the current contract expires, the City could opt to extend the Chip Wagon contract until the work does begin.

“The City is committed to helping its businesses succeed. A downtown revitalization study is

presently underway and Council is committed to seeing the River Precinct Plan move forward,”

Boddy added.

The revitalization of First Avenue East is a priority for Council. The conceptual design for the

“River Precinct” is attached (see Figure 1). These plans will revitalize the riverfront, make it a focal point in the downtown and continue the positive climate of investment and redevelopment in the City.

The full City Council Meeting is available on YouTube, and the Chip Wagon discussion can be

viewed starting at the 15:07 point in the meeting.

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