One more Kingsway property bought by city — and now ready for demolition
City has been buying up properties on Kingsway's north side for years to accommodate proposed road widening
Sudbury city councillor Robert Kirwan is not convinced the city's plan to buy and demolish houses on the Kingsway is a good idea anymore.
But his motion to halt the purchase of one home was defeated at city council on Tuesday evening.
The city has been purchasing houses on the Kingsway's north side to accommodate the widening of the street —something that has been in the planning stages for years.
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But Kirwan said buying houses for demolition does not make sense when the city is facing what he calls an "affordable housing crisis."
"For over 20 years we've said wouldn't it be nice to have the Kingsway straightened out," Kirwan said.
"I think it might be time for us to say — you know what — that might not be a good idea any more."
Councillor Fern Cormier said the purchase did not involve displacing residents, and it would not be prudent to delay the widening of the Kingsway because it is one of the city's long-term goals.
"I think it would be a bit of a step backwards to take our foot off the pedal for such a large project that's been in the works for so long now," Cormier said.
"I do understand that there's probably an excess of maybe 20 lots that still have to be purchased for the current plan, but there has been a significant number over the years purchased."