FAQs on Robert Bateman High School Site Proposals
The Mayor's Office has been getting various questions related to the City of Burlington's proposed land transaction with the Halton District School Board (HDSB) and leasing arrangements with the HDSB and Brock University for the City’s planned acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School building and property.We've put together some frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) and responses to help keep residents informed as the City continues through this process. The City has also put together an FAQ page on its website. Also, the City of Burlington hosted a Virtual Public Information Session & Q-and-A on the Robert Bateman High School proposals with more.
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Q: I've seen reports in some media outlets that have said this acquisition will cost $50 million -- is that true?A: This does not reflect the actual dollar figure. Per the Integrity Commissioner's report Council received in April 2022 concerning the Council-approved sanction of the Council member who inappropriately released a dollar figure related to this deal, that number released “ does not reflect the specific actual dollar figure” and further, “risks misleading the public.”The following sections from the Integrity Commissioner report are relevant:
- [43] We find that the Councillor’s statement, although not actually disclosing real dollar amounts discussed in closed session, is fairly perceived as revealing confidential information, risks misleading the public, and compromises the ability of any other member of Council to contradict or correct the information.
- [44] The fact that the information does not reflect the specific actual dollar figure is not an answer which justifies the apparent breach. If such were the case, confidentiality of closed discussion could be breached with impunity simply by mis- stating facts and information subject to closed session deliberations.
- [45] Accordingly we find that the Councillor’s reference to an actual dollar figure, where by implication the only source of that information is closed session, constitutes a contravention of the confidentiality provisions of the Code.
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Q: Will the proposed land exchange with HDSB reduce the cost of selling the Bateman site to the City to $0?A: No. The land exchange would lower the overall cost by reducing the net purchase price. That protects our existing parkland reserves so they are available for additional potential purchases of surplus school sites or parks anywhere else in the city that may come on the market in the future.
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Q: What is the dollar value for the potential real estate transactions?
A: The City’s real estate matters during negotiations are confidential and therefore information regarding land values, negotiated terms and conditions and other business terms including lease rates cannot be released publicly during this time. Once the land transactions and the final agreements are in place, the dollar amount will be made public.
Regarding Robert Bateman High school and the proposed land exchange with the Central High School football field lands and the associated long term leases proposed for the facility, City staff has communicated to City Council on these real estate matters several times over past year. Real estate transaction updates will continue to be communicated in camera as needed.
When considering these matters, City Council and the Halton District School Board (HDSB) has and will consider staff advice, independent appraisals, results of due diligence reports and confidential updates from the HDSB and other partners and provide confirmation of next steps related to the negotiations.
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Q: Will the Bateman site be turned into condos?A: No. The City of Burlington publicly expressed an intent to purchase Bateman over a year ago and continue to work on the terms of the purchase.This is to ensure the school and property remain a publicly-owned asset and community hub for our citizens.
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Q: Could the HDSB eventually sell the Central High School site after the City's proposed land exchange?A: Exchanging the City-owned lands to HDSB as part of the acquisition of Bateman H.S. helps keep Central open. Securing the lands near Burlington Central High School in HDSB ownership has been consistent with the HDSB’s long-term intention to continue operating Burlington Central High School as a school. If HDSB makes a decision in the future to sell the Bateman site, the City of Burlington would have an opportunity to purchase those lands before they are offered on the open market for developers or others to bid. Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has stated that she is committed to working with council and staff to submit offers to purchase any surplus school property that is offered for sale. This will allow council, staff and the community to determine the best community use for these lands, as we are currently doing at the Bateman site.In October 2021, Council unanimously directed staff to communicate with Halton schools boards that "the City has an interest in considering any school sites that may become available." Council further directed staff to report back with a strategy "for the acquisition and community use of current and potential surplus school sites." The expanded motion and elements can be found here, as well as the link to the Oct. 19, 2021 Council meeting. This motion was in conjunction with the Burlington Lands Partnership that was set up to leverage land for jobs, affordable housing and community amenities.
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Q: What has the public been told by the City of Burlington or Mayor's Office publicly on any of this?A: There has been significant public information released over the past year on plans to acquire the site, and vision for the site, short of releasing terms of the negotiated price. Since HDSB published a news release in June 2021 approving plans for use of former Robert Bateman High School property (that the Mayor's Office shared on the Mayor's website), the Mayor and the City have been releasing every bit of information available to be released publicly when they have been able to -- please see the 'Related Links' at the bottom of this post for more. Other pieces of information have been kept confidential in order to protect the public's interest in the process. As soon as any details can be released the publicly, they'll be done so by the City.
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Q: What does the City of Burlington see as the benefits of the land exchange?
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Q: Why is the City of Burlington able to potentially purchase the Bateman property?
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Q: When will the purchase price and leases become public?
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Q: Why is the City of Burlington negotiating a long-term lease with the Halton District School Board?
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Q: Why is the City of Burlington negotiating a long term lease with Brock University?
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RELATED LINKS:
- City of Burlington Hosts Virtual Public Information Session & Q-and-A on Robert Bateman High School Proposals
- City of Burlington to Host Virtual Public Meeting on Robert Bateman High School Proposals - May 26, 2022
- Mayor's Statement: Update on Robert Bateman High School Site Proposals - May 18, 2022
- City Council Approves Next Steps for Potential Purchase of Robert Bateman High School Site - Feb. 7, 2022
- Robert Bateman Building – Preliminary Design, Environmental, Architectural and Engineering Services (EICS-20-21) – December 14, 2021
- Community Vision Takes Shape at Burlington’s Robert Bateman High School Site - Nov. 26, 2021
- Mayor’s Monday Mailbag – Nov. 15, 2021 – What is Happening with the former Robert Bateman HS site? I’m Hearing Rumours
- Staff presentation regarding Robert Bateman High School surplus school site update (CM-26-21) – November 15, 2021
- City of Burlington to Submit Expression of Interest to Purchase Surplus Bateman High School Site; Partner with Brock University -- June 24, 2021
- Halton District School Board News Release: HDSB Trustees approve plans for use of former Robert Bateman High School property -- June 23, 2021