Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland is calling on residents to be patient as the new owners of the historic former Brookside Youth Detention Centre Property unveil plans for the property.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, Cleveland posted on Facebook about the recent sale, which Infrastructure Ontario (IO) confirmed earlier this week.
“I am thrilled to share some exciting news that marks a new chapter for our vibrant community,” wrote Cleveland, while referencing the closing of the sale at the 390 King St. E. property as of Nov. 29, 2024.
The buyer – also confirmed by IO – is Terraco Development Inc., based out of Toronto. As previously reported, online the company is described as “a leading construction development company with over 25 years of combined industry experience.”
“As this will be the first time Cobourg has worked with Terraco Development, I look forward to hearing how their investment will lead to innovative and sustainable development in our town,” wrote Cleveland, while going on to echo a similar sentiment as IO after confirmation of the official closing of the sale.
“The completion of this sale not only reduces costs for provincial taxpayers but also opens the door for economic growth and a more diverse tax base for our community,” said Cleveland. “As Terraco takes the reins, I ask that the public give them (the) opportunity and time to present their plans prior to passing judgment or demanding action from council.”
“As no one can anticipate their plans for future use of the property, I, along with many interested Cobourg residents, look forward to Terraco and Cobourg staff navigating the legal and provincially prescribed development process,” Cleveland continued.
MBC confirmed the sale of the 30-plus-acre property and new owners through IO on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.
“Infrastructure Ontario, on behalf of the province, has successfully completed the sale of 390 King St. E., Cobourg, at market value,” said an IO spokesperson Monday in an email to MBC in response to inquiries around the sale, sale price, who the buyer was, next steps, et cetera.
“The sale closed on Nov. 29, 2024, and will reduce costs and generate revenue for provincial taxpayers, while enabling the property to contribute to economic development in the local community,” said the spokesperson, adding IO followed a well-defined sales process, completing all necessary due diligence and ensuring a fair and competitive process in the sale.
IO went on to reiterate how its work on the sale started in 2021 after the province deemed the property surplus.
The former Brookside centre opened in the 1960s and continued operations until February 2021 when the province shuttered its doors, citing an operational decision around reduced occupancy rates. This triggered a decommissioning process, which made it to Stage 4; translating to private-sector organizations being able to express interest in the property.
However, no sale price was detailed in IO correspondence. As previously reported, at one point earlier this year, IO had the property listed for $9.1 million. The property – which has more than a dozen buildings onsite – was listed on Feb. 8, 2024.
“The province and IO no longer have oversight of the property, and the purchaser will determine future use,” added the spokesperson, who provided no other details surrounding the sale.
By September 2023, the property had also become home to several residents experiencing homelessness. While in recent months social services staff have reported helping several individuals with transitions to other accommodations, it’s unknown where others have moved on to.
In his Facebook post, Cleveland acknowledged that while the new 310 Division St. shelter isn’t fully operational just yet, its warming room hub is and the Transition House shelter at 10 Chapel St. remains open, he wrote. (However, it is running at reduced capacity.)
“To the people who are emailing, calling and worried about the mess, I have been in direct communication with the developers, and they have assured me personally that once their new fence goes up, they will immediately begin with clean-up efforts of the property,” wrote Cleveland. (There was reportedly fencing going up around the property Wednesday.)
“As we move forward, let us give Terraco Development an opportunity to share their vision. I look forward to a bright future for Cobourg filled with growth, opportunity, and a strengthened sense of community,” wrote Cleveland, while saying residents should stay tuned for more updates, “especially around the heritage preservation conservation that is currently occurring in our community.”
In recent months, there’s been lots of chatter and concerns voiced about the future of the property and ensuring its unique aspects, heritage structures, natural features and character are preserved, including by the Cobourg and East Northumberland Branch of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO), which has been hosting meetings and “Protect Brookside” events.
For the modernized shelter project at 310 Division St., the warming hub on the first floor opened on Nov. 13. The latest information suggests renovations of 35 emergency shelter spaces on the second and third floors are progressing and on track to open this month. The transitional housing units on the fourth floor are anticipated to be open and occupied by early 2025, according to the county.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
