The property located at One Union Street in downtown Millbrook which is adjacent to the Millbrook Post Office became the property of the township in October 2015 due to unpaid taxes It had previously been the site of an automotive shop and gas station, equipped with underground gas storage tanks. All buildings were demolished, tanks removed and an environmental assessment conducted by WSP Canada, where soil samples testing and groundwater monitoring conducted in 2015 established results falling within an acceptable range for commercial activity on municipally serviced property.
Since the township acquired this property, it has received a number of unsolicited inquiries about its possible sale. It is very attractive due to its strategic location in the commercial centre of the village.
Among those expressing interest in acquiring the property is Canada Post. Their most recent overture took the form of a delegation to Council last December when they outlined a proposal for an expansion of their current location in town into this property. They have indicated that they need a larger facility to meet the needs of the growing community.
The property has also been discussed in the Downtown Millbrook Revitalization Strategy and Detailed Streetscape and Design guidelines. It was identified as a potential site for a “pocket park” or a parking lot. While quite dissimilar, both uses would be helpful in promoting commerce tourism and pedestrian activity.
Council opted to allow staff to negotiate directly with Canada Post to see if an agreement can be reached that would ensure this key service provider remains within the downtown core. KG
