Scugog’s Old Mill part of waterfront revitalization

The Township of Scugog, Ontario is turning its attentions to the revitalization of the grain elevator known as the Old Mill, a Port Perry landmark since it was built in 1874 by grain buyer George Currie.

Last May, the township estimated the eventual costs of an environmental clean-up and structural audit at $20,000. The culprit in this case isn’t some esoteric toxin that might have leeched into the soil, or threatens the nearby waterfront.

“It’s animal droppings,” says Don Gordon, Scugog’s director of community services. “There’s been wildlife living inside the elevator portion of the building and that’s the nature of the environmental issue.”

The potential restoration of the Old Mill is part of a second phase of waterfront revitalization for Port Perry. The first phase was a $10.5-million waterfront improvement project that included an expanded library, improved stormwater management and higher density parking to improve green spaces. The plan included $7 million in funding, shared equally between federal and provincial governments.

The second phase of waterfront redevelopment includes both the Old Mill and the Port Perry Marina.

“The Old Mill is right on the waterfront and surrounded by green space and located near a seniors’ centre,” says Gordon. “It’s an iconic building, an integral part of the waterfront and a heritage feature of the town.”

The building is Port Perry’s only link to its more distant past, as the sole building to survive major fires in 1883 and 1884 that wiped out the town’s downtown core. The building is typical of its era, featuring a stone foundation and structural pine beams.

The property was purchased by the township for $1.1 million in 2009, although any redevelopment plans were put on hold until the first phase of the waterfront redevelopment project was completed and the leases of retail tenants expired. The largest tenant, an auto parts retailer, has recently relocated.

The damage caused by unwanted tenants, including raccoons and pigeons, is the current concern. Project manager Glenn Garwood is currently preparing a request for proposals for an environmental assessment and subsequent clean-up. The structural assessment will likely follow the clean-up.

Garwood says plans for redevelopment would require securing the building envelope from further access by wildlife. The township is currently accepting quotes for an initial clean-up of the mill’s first stairwell before a full environmental assessment can be undertaken.

In a report to council, Garwood explained that remediation might be possible while tenants remain in the building if a dry method is used to remediate the elevator interior.

“However, we have every intention of allowing our tenants to remain to the ends of their leases, regardless of the type of remediation we choose,” notes Gordon.

The township is looking to the private sector as a possible source of capital to complete the mill redevelopment.

“The council endorsed a work plan to repurpose the mill as a P3 project,” says Gordon. “We’re not at the stage where we’re ready to issues a request for proposals because we still may identify some use and design parameters, but we’re definitely willing to go out to the marketplace to get some ideas for a long-term lease and development of the site from the private sector.”