Sarah Mills: The Met Gala isn't just silly fashion, but a work of art
The fundraiser for New York's Metropolitan Museum may be all theatrics, but Sarah Mills says at its heart is interpretat...
Regina city councillors are set to vote on a recommendation to accept an offer from Brandt Properties to buy a large portion of the REAL District.
Brandt owner Shaun Semple is once again registered as a delegate for Wednesday’s meeting, in order to answer questions about a proposal he said is “like winning the lottery.”
Read more:
- Regina City Council to hold final vote on Brandt-REAL deal on Wednesday
- Renderings reveal vision for Regina’s Brandt Centre, other REAL facilities
- What’s in the Brandt-REAL deal? Breaking down the agreement
The proposal is for Brandt to acquire all of the buildings at the REAL District except Mosaic Stadium, the Co-operators Centre, the AffinityPlex and the Bunge International Trade Centre for a price of roughly $6.4 million. Brandt would also the trade centre from the city under the terms of the proposed deal.
A dozen other delegates also signed up to speak at the meeting, including former Regina mayors Pat Fiacco and Michael Fougere, WHL commissioner Dan Near, Regina Pats alumnus Ed Staniowski and former jouranlist and mayor’s officer staffer Patrick Book, who raised several questions about the proposed deal at a previous committee meeting.
One submission opposed to the deal outlines an alternative plan and financial breakdown for creating more space within the Avana Centre and Bunge International Trade Centre for sports that appeal to the city’s growing newcomer population.
Agribusiness giants Bunge and Mosaic have made written submissions in favour of the deal.
The proposal was advanced to council by Regina’s executive committee in a 7-4 vote. Those opposed argued for a delay.
In a social media post on Monday, Ward 7 Councillor Shobna Radons raised concerns about the fate of the 700 unionized employees of REAL who would be transferred to Brandt under the agreement.
Ward 5 Councillor Sarah Turnbull voted in favour of the deal at committee. She later said in a social media post that while she understands the concerns people may have, she thinks the deal is a “great one for the city.”
If council approves the deal, the next step is to negotiate a master purchase agreement.
That would be followed by the drafting of a bylaw authorizing the property tax exemption included in the deal.
The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
