Maple Leafs Foods Factory Sale In The Works

Tuesday, 23 July 2019 08:26

After 18 months of negotiation, Zorra Township is likely within 60 days of closing a deal on the purchase of the old Maple Leaf Foods Factory.

ZORRA TOWNSHIP - The Township of Zorra has entered into a conditional agreement to purchase the Maple Leaf Foods factory in Thamesford.

The parcel of land includes the processing plants, office buildings and an industrial/residential draft plan of subdivision.

Maple Leaf Foods announced it was closing back in 2016, resulting in 400 job losses for the community. Since then the Township and Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation have been working on ways to mitigate the impact on the municipality.

The Township and ROEDC explored many options over the past 18 months and through its due diligence determined there was potential for the municipality to purchase the property and sell off distinct parcels to interested parties. The municipality sought development proposals for eight separate parcels and in response has entered negotiations with three proponents to purchase seven of eight parcels. The deal with Maple Leaf is contingent upon the municipality receiving signed offers of purchase and sale.

The Township is not able to disclose details on the development proposals at this time. However, the municipality will immediately begin public consultation should the conditions be met in the conditional sale with Maple Leaf.

The Request for Proposal for the development process noted the Township’s desired outcomes to be as follows:

(a) a vibrant, mixed-use community that enhances the area while respecting the existing neighbourhoods;
(b) enhanced physical and visual connections to the Thames River and increased public access to the water’s edge;
(c) a community that is inclusive of a diverse range of incomes, household configurations, and lifestyles; and
(d) a community that stands as a model of excellence in the fields of design, sustainable living, accessibility, and environmental conservation.

Mayor Marcus Ryan says this is a step in the right direction.

“Many of the issues raised by the public at an open house in February were covered off in the proposals. When the plant closure was announced, the fear of dilapidated buildings and acres of vacant land sitting dormant was a concern of all in Thamesford. What we have before us checks off all the boxes in our Strategic Plan: we are vibrant, we are prosperous, we are engaged, and we are environmentally conscious.”

Ward 2 Councillor Katie Davies echoed those remarks.

“The mixed use of housing proposed is exactly what our community needs to provide alternatives for first time home buyers and those wishing to downsize but continue living in Thamesford.”

Chief Administrative Officer Don MacLeod says they have been working on this ever since the Maple Leaf closure was announced.

“After almost 18 months of negotiation, I am very hopeful we will be able to close this deal within the next 60 days. The Township will carry out full consultation and public engagement in this process once we are in a position to release details.”