Mayor touts plans for vacant seniors' home, but deputy cautious

Someone wants to buy the old Summerset Manor building on Granville Street, says the mayor of Summerside, but he won't say who.

Mayor Bill Martin told council in the P.E.I. city Monday night he's had talks with an individual who wants to turn the former seniors' home into an assisted living facility.

"He's been through the building. He's got construction drawings. He's got budget numbers," said Martin.

"This is a multi-million dollar development that this gentleman's talking about."

Martin also told city councillors Monday that the province is expected to put the property up for sale in the near future.Martin said the developer estimates an assisted living facility on the property could employ up to 50 people.

Delayed construction a concern

Summerside deputy mayor Brent Gallant wants a deadline on development plans for anyone who buys the building.

"It should have a timely date of completion," said Gallant.

Gallant doesn't want another situation like the old school across the street that has sat empty for years.

"We certainly have been the victim of past sales of government property that have left us holding the bag for many years, and I really don't want that to happen again," said Gallant.

Gallant tabled a motion to request the province include a deadline in any request-for-proposals issued for the property.

The motion passed.

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