CORNWALL, Ontario – City council wants to know what is going on with the former Domtar lands on Second Street West.
Councillors agreed Monday night to task administrators with contacting the owners of the property to find out what plans they have for the future of the lands.
“In the last few years, the last few months in particular, there has been a lot of discussion on development,” said Coun. Bernadette Clement. “But what do we know about Domtar? There have been a lot of questions.”
The Domtar lands have sat largely idle since the bulk of the buildings and equipment at the property have been demolished and removed.
The iconic smokestacks still remain at the property that is now owned by Paris Holdings. There is also an administrative buildings that remains.
While he was supportive of council getting more answers, Coun. Denis Carr said the city’s hands are ultimately tied.
“We have to recognize who owns that particular piece of property. You can’t force them to do anything, said Carr. “It’s a good idea to make contact with them.”
Domtar closed its long-time paper mill in Cornwall years ago, throwing hundreds of people out of work.
