Aurora council rejects bid to release Library Square land deal details

'I'm not for us losing our upper hand' in negotiating on project, mayor argues

Yorkregion.com
October 5, 2020

Aurora residents will eventually find out the details of the town’s decision to spend more than $7.5 million buying property as part of the Library Square project, but it won’t be any time soon.

On Sept. 29, council rejected a bid by Coun. John Gallo that would have seen the town release details related to the purchase of property southeast of Yonge and Mosley streets.

The deal to buy 15157, 15165 and 15171 Yonge St., completed on July 30, was for $7.5 million plus $146,475 in land transfer fees.

The purchase came after councillors discussed the details in a closed-door session, which is permissible under the Municipal Act.

Now that the deal is complete, Gallo argued the town should post the private reports on its website, acknowledging some sensitive information would have to be redacted.

He voted against buying the property and has also complained to the provincial ombudsman about the process council followed in approving Library Square.

Coun. Wendy Gaertner was the only other councillor to agree the information should be released now.

“I don’t want the public to say we’re holding the information back for some reason. It’s completely appropriate to do this now,” she said.

But Mayor Tom Mrakas and other councillors argued releasing the information now would put the town at a disadvantage with developers and partners as it determines how the property will be enveloped into the Library Square project.

“I’m all for transparency, but at this time, I’m not for us losing our upper hand when we’re dealing with moving forward with the redevelopment of this property and, ultimately, the revitalization of our downtown core,” Mrakas said.

“If we want to hurt the revitalization of our downtown core, then let’s go ahead and do that, but I’m not for that. I’m to make sure, and that’s what we’re all here for, to make sure the town’s interests are upheld.”

Gallo said he suspects council won’t publicly release the information for more than two years.

The next municipal elections will be held Oct. 24, 2022.

Gaertner’s attempt to have the information made public by August 2022 was rejected.