Two Ward 1 councillors have very different opinions in response to a planned 30-bed transitional housing project for Indigenous men at 243 River Road in the city's east end.
SooToday reached out to Ward 1 councillors Sandra Hollingsworth and Sonny Spina regarding the men's healing centre project after it was introduced by way of a federal funding announcement on Feb. 4.
In a recent phone interview, Spina said he has fielded some calls from constituents, but noted OAHSSC has a stellar track record when it comes to building projects.
"They [OAHSSC] own the land and the land is zoned properly for this, so quite literally there is not really much for city council to do other than to help facilitate the communication between all parties, which is something we're more than happy to do," said Spina.
In contrast, Hollingsworth said it doesn't matter how controversial the concern is, that her role is to represent all constituents' rights.
"The majority are disappointed that this development was quietly planned without honouring the rights of those that live there currently. Everyone from all walks of life have equal rights that deserve a voice," Hollingsworth said.
In her eight years on city council, this development has resulted in the highest number of phone calls and emails, she said.
"I've visited constituents at their kitchen table – living across from the proposed area — where they've shared their concerns of safety. Safety in this city is one of the top issues keeping residents awake at night.
"They have these concerns because of what they read in the media daily and from witnessing it themselves," Hollingsworth said.
"Stigma or not, (there are concerns) of questionable characters wandering or loitering. Most have witnessed this with housing with services situated elsewhere," she added.
Hollingsworth said it is 'not right' to build a facility of this size without first consulting with the neighbourhood.
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker did not respond to an interview request for this story. City CAO Tom Vair declined to be interviewed for the story due to a conflict.
OAHSSC purchased the waterfront property in February of 2024 for $1,088,948 from its former owner, Robert Dale. A report on the OAHSSC website prepared by the Superior Consulting Team shows the organization was seriously looking into building on that site at least as far back as Jan. 24, 2022.
While there is municipal water supply servicing the property, the report said there are concerns for a development of that size.
"It is not clear there is capacity to support maximum density. Furthermore, there is no current access to the municipal sanitary sewer," said Shannon Dodd-Smith, owner of Superior Consulting Team in the report.
The 2022 report also predicted there could be public opposition to the project.
"I would note that with it being an established low-density neighbourhood, there could be some push-back on a higher-density use; particularly one that may block a view to the water (if one exists)," said Dodd-Smith in the report.
The plans will be presented during an 8 p.m. open house scheduled for March 6 at the Sault Ste. Marie Indigenous Friendship Centre.
When it was announced on Feb. 4, OAHSSC president Justin Marchand told SooToday that immediate neighbours had been notified about the project.
"There haven't been any major concerns at all. The neighbours, from our discussions with them, they've been really supportive and are looking forward to a nice beautiful building on that site," Marchand said during an unveiling of the project.
After receiving some complaints from readers in the area who said they were not consulted, SooToday asked OAHS about the outreach.
"Our team conducted an outreach effort in the River Road and Dacey Road neighbourhoods on June 12, 2024. Staff members walked the area, speaking directly with residents where possible and leaving flyers in mailboxes for those not at home," said Sarah McBain, communications manager for OAHSSC, in an email.
"Immediate neighbours were prioritized, which typically includes properties in direct proximity to the site. However, we understand that some residents may still have questions, and we encourage them to attend the upcoming public meeting," she added.
Preliminary site plans available on the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corp. (OAHSSC) website show an almost 22,000 square-foot, two-storey building with 34 allotted parking spaces.
The site plan is dated July 22, 2024 and may not be the same as the one recently submitted to the city planning office.
Neither OAHSSC nor the city planning office will release the current official site plan or renderings of the building at this time.
"You can get it after community has approved the design and contributed their ideas to the engagement process," McBain said.
Peter Tonazzo, chief planner for the city, told SooToday his office typically wouldn't release a site plan until it has been thoroughly looked over by his team.
Construction on the $14.8 million healing centre is expected to begin this spring, with completion planned for the summer of 2026.
Editor's note: a previous version of this story referred to the development as being planned for 235 River Rd., however a map of the project shows it is planned for the adjoining lot of 243 River Rd. When it was first announced, OAHSSC president referred to the 235 River Rd. address.