CORNWALL, Ontario - A grassroots organization looking to keep the former Cornwall General Hospital site out of the hands of private developers has made a conditional offer on the property.
The Concerned Citizens Coalition, helmed by former city councillor Mark MacDonald, is looking to form a not-for-profit corporation that would administer the facility.
The offer has a handful of conditions, which not only includes creating a not-for-profit arm, but also sets a deadline of June 3 for meeting the conditions and a price tag of just $1.
Another condition includes the Ministry of Health forking over the $2 million asking price for the property to the Cornwall Community Hospital.
MacDonald said in an interview the big priority right now is getting voting members to register with the coalition.
"So far the coalition has been losely-based," he said. "This is to legitamize it."
The coalition is going before city council on Monday night, to ask for techincal and administrative support.
The coalition's ultimate goal is to turn the Second Street property into a facility that provides long-term care and low-income housing for seniors. It could also house medical offices and services, related to senior care, said MacDonald.
How much it would cost to complete such renovations hasn't been officially calculated.
MacDonald does not expect renovation costs to be that exorbitant.
"We are not only talking about long term care, that is where the high price tag stems from," he said. "We are talking wheelchair accessible housing, affordable housing, etc. We are talking about doctor's offices and other medical related offices, geared for seniors. Some of these require little or no renovations."
To register as a voting member of the coalition, contact MacDonald at findermacdonald@gmail.com.
