There’s some progress on a proposal to redevelop the old Grey County courthouse and jail in Owen Sound.
City council approved a recommendation at Monday’s meeting to direct staff to continue processing a zoning by-law amendment application for the properties at 1235 and 1259 3rd Avenue East, next to the fire hall.
The two properties have sat vacant for nearly a decade. The city sold them for $50,000 last year to a developer — Nick Ainis — with plans to turn it into a “wedding venue, dining and entertainment complex and shared workspace area.”
- Wedding Venue Among Plans For Old Jail And Courthouse Properties As Owen Sound Council Approves Sale
Representatives from the developer’s company, FC Entertainment and Hospitality, shared some images to council Monday of its vision to transform the old buildings. The plan remains to turn them into an entertainment venue, where weddings and other special events could be hosted. There would also be community facilities and offices for businesses to utilize.
The proposal includes 45 parking spaces on-site, and efforts to secure another 75 spaces nearby.
Some residents raised concerns about noise, parking and traffic at a public meeting Monday night.
“I am for one am enthusiastic about this project. I loved everything about it,” says Coun. Melanie Middlebro’. “I take everyone’s concerns that were here tonight. I don’t think any plan is ever perfect. And we can’t ever please everybody. I also share some of the concerns about the parking, traffic and noise if there’s events happening. But, I think we can trust staff and the developers to work together to come up with some really sensible solutions.”
A final recommendation report for the proposed development is expected to come before council at its Sept. 25 meeting.
Rendering of vision of front facade of redeveloped courthouse property. (image from developer presentation to Owen Sound Council, Sept. 11, 2023)