The courthouse in Saint Andrews has agreed in principle to hand the courthouse over to a non-profit organization.
It has been a source of discussion for the municipal council given the property needs significant work, including removing the lead paint from the exterior of the building which could cost up to $300,000, and a new roof.
“There’s actually not a purpose for the municipality directly, but there is a group that would like to turn it into a community hub that thinks that they’ll be very successful getting grants,” said Saint Andrews Mayor Brad Henderson. “So, the municipality is open to transferring it to a not-for-profit or charity.”
Last month, the Saint Andrews Civic Trust gave an hour-long presentation about what it would like to do with the courthouse, including adding community space and revitalizing the green space in front of the building.
However, the council has asked for expressions of interest on the property – to ensure transparency and fairness to any organization that might wish to take over the property.
The expression of interest is simply to gauge how many organizations may be interested outside the SACT and it takes less time, but if the council receives multiple expressions, it could then move to RFP.
Those are formal proposals with costing estimates and plans, afterward, the council could select whichever it prefers.
“You can expect covenants from the municipality to make sure that that building is protected for the municipality and for the history of the building,” Henderson said.
There were questions from the council ahead of showing interest in handing the courthouse over.
Coun. Darrell Weare asked whether the town would need to provide financial support to the organization that takes over the building.
Property taxes, according to the council, is the most significant thing it faces when it comes to financing the courthouse.
Henderson said he believes some sort of short-term financial support would likely be required, but time limits would like to be imposed on those.
“My short answer to that would be probably,” he said. “I think you’d limit it to a period of time and it is also a heritage and tourism asset, I think it is something you would consider using the tourism accommodation levy for a period of time.”
The level of financial support could include a question in the eventual RFP, if there is one, and be subject to grading by the council.
Coun. Kurt Gumushel reiterated feelings he’d expressed at a previous council meeting about returning the courthouse to the provincial government.
Five years ago, the property was handed over, and the town received financial support to assist them in the costs associated with the building, but that funding has expired.
“I’m stuck on the fact, we took this courthouse in good faith, with the understanding that it was in good shape and it was a sound building and I don’t think that is what we got,” he said. “I wonder if a fifth option is we simply lock the doors and say the Province of New Brunswick, here is your courthouse back and let them figure it out.”
Henderson said given the town has owned it for five years, it is unlikely the province would take it back.
No date has been set yet for council to discuss next steps on the future of the Saint Andrews Courthouse.
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