Strategic Priorities Meeting – June 23, 2025

At the Strategic Priorities meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025, Strathroy-Caradoc Council continued discussions surrounding the future of 137 Frank Street in Strathroy. This municipally owned property has been the subject of conversation for several years, and has remained vacant for the last five.

A Key Downtown Property

Situated in the heart of Strathroy’s downtown and adjacent to Alexandra Park, 137 Frank Street presents a unique opportunity to contribute to downtown revitalization efforts. Council reviewed a variety of options for the property, all with the potential to enhance municipal services and support economic and community development.

Options Under Consideration

Council is considering several possibilities for the site:

• Sell the property in its current condition

• Demolish the building (noting it remains in generally good condition)

• Continue to maintain the building while leaving it vacant

• Reimagine and redevelop the space as a vibrant, multi-use municipal and community facility

Concepts Presented for Reuse and Redevelopment

In-house staff presented early concepts for a reimagined facility that could support:

• Customer Service Hub – A centralized location for residents to access municipal services, aligned with an upcoming Customer Service Strategy

• Business Incubator – A supportive space for entrepreneurs and startups, offering hot desks, small offices, and defined lease terms (1–3 years), with potential for revenue generation

• Meeting and Event Spaces – Including the existing boardroom, which could be rented to the public or used for municipal purposes

• New Council Chambers – A modern, accessible space for Council meetings, with room for private offices and breakout discussions

• Expanded Municipal Office Space – To address the growing need for workspace across departments

• Tenancy Opportunities – Interest has already been expressed by the Chamber of Commerce, BIA, Community Futures Middlesex, and others

A redeveloped 137 Frank Street would also help drive foot traffic downtown, support local businesses, and provide a visible municipal presence in the core.

Building Considerations

While the building has been vacant for five years, some of its fixtures have been repurposed to reduce operating costs elsewhere. However, a number of structural and maintenance issues would need to be addressed if redevelopment proceeds, including:

• Brick deterioration and potential water issues

• Sloping floors (6–8 inches was noted)

• Aging HVAC system

• General accessibility and modernization needs

A full reimagination of the facility is estimated to cost between $2.5 and $5 million and could be completed in two to three phases, beginning with customer service and community space, followed by council chambers and offices.

Funding and Next Steps

Several funding avenues are being explored, including:

• Rural Ontario Development Program – Expected to open soon

• Tariff Impact Community Program

• Federal Development Funding (currently closed)

To be prepared when these opportunities open, the Municipality is requesting that Council consider the development of a shovel-ready proposal. Should external funding not be secured, the project could potentially be financed through a long-term loan.

Staff is now seeking Councils direction on the next steps:

• Should we proceed with conceptual drawings and cost estimates?

• Should the property be sold or demolished?

• Should we maintain it as-is, or pursue redevelopment?

Council has not made a final decision at this time. Further discussion is expected in July as next steps are considered and compiled for Council to review and make a decision on.

The June meeting sparked thoughtful conversation, with a range of perspectives shared and a focus on long-term community impact. The Municipality will continue to keep the public informed as Council explores the best path forward for this key downtown property.