Full Speed Ahead For Square One - As Questions Being Asked

By Robert Thomas

Everything is A OK for a business subletting space from the City of Moose Jaw to move to a new location.

Although questions and concerns linger in some corners of the community about the new tenant's plans that forced the move.

Global Direct Real Estate, who had been sub-leasing retail space from the City in the William Milne Building (commonly referred to as the Old Fire Hall), have agreed to move by March 31st from the retail space they now occupy.

This in the wake of a request from the Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing Corporation (commonly referred to as Moose Jaw Housing), who leases the retail space to the City, to reclaim the space within the building.

Housing will then lease the space to Square One who want to turn it into a warming centre for people classified as homeless.

The deal is contingent upon the Province's Saskatchewan Housing Corporation fully releasing the City from the 1989 development agreement which turned the former fire hall into affordable housing for men.

Speaking to Council at their March 14 regular meeting city manager Jim Puffalt said Administration was able to speak to the tenant who had agreed to move without any argument by month end but was unable to finalize the agreement with Moose Jaw Housing.

“It was a very positive meeting. They (the tenant) had already secured a new location by the time we met with them,” Puffalt said, adding “they had already secured a new location. And they were on their way to move to their new location.”

The real estate firm has offered Square One best wishes on their planned endeavor.

Business Concerns

Councillor Heather Eby, who is Council's representative on the Downtown Moose Jaw Association (DMJBA), said there were concerns about Square One's plans.

Square One presented their plans to the City in a series of three in-camera (private) meetings - a Strategic Planning Session and two Executive Committee meetings - but nothing publicly to be televised and reported on at Council.

During those in-camera meeting Councillor Crystal Froese, who is a board member of the advocate/lobby group did not recuse herself from discussions.

“Just to let everyone know the Downtown Moose Jaw Association just has some questions and wanting some discussion surrounding this so they have set up a meeting with Square One,” Councillor Eby said.

MJ Independent has learnt the DMJBA concerns were based upon a lack of information from Square One and the impact Square One's proposed warming centre would have on business.

The DMJBA sent one non-retail member to attend the meeting with Square One because the group worried any retailer speaking their concerns would be “crucified” for doing so.

MJ Independent has also learnt the questions asked of Square One were if the proposed Centre was simply a drop-in centre or will they be offering services to help the people return to normal society.

Another concern the business community asked was about safety and security.

The issue of what Square One's long term funding program was something the DMJBA was also concerned with.

The Downtown business community was told by Square One they would be receiving funding from grants to continue forward but did not specify what grants in particular.

Square One offered the business community the first opportunity to tour the facility at an upcoming open house.

A Downtown business community member told MJ Independent they did not feel their concerns and questions had been adequately answered.

Square One is receiving interim funding from the Department of Social Services.

The funding amount and what the funds are ear marked for have never been discussed out of camera (publicly) at Council.

City Hall's Involvement

Sources within City Hall, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not approved to speak on the issue under the City’s communication policy, said the agreement means the City has nothing financially to do with Square One.

Square One initially had requested to have the current tenant in the William Milne Building evicted and then Square One sub-lease from the City.

A move which could mean, if Square One could not pay the rent, the City would be in the unenviable position of evicting the homeless.

The City is now in the process of vacating their lease and turning the space back over to Housing.

Housing would then become Square One's direct landlord.

The only agreement which the City has is Council allowed Square One to be declared a municipal project until the group is awarded their charity status by the Canada Revenue Agency.

That agreement does not imply the City of Moose Jaw has officially endorsed Square One's plans or agreed to any financial obligations at the present or future time, the source told MJ Independent.

In a unanimous vote Council agreed to receive and file Administration's report.