Liens placed on Genosha

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

Despite promising signs of new growth in the spring, the redevelopment project at the Genosha Hotel seems to remain at a stand still.

According to Paul Ralph, the city’s commissioner of development services, the process is still in the back and forth process to provide the project with a building permit.

“We’ve reviewed the building permit application, but with any normal application, we ask for more information and clarification, so it’s back in their court right now to get us some more information,” he says.

A year ago, things started to look up for the Genosha, when Bowood Properties stepped forward with an ambitious plan to redevelop the historic building into apartment buildings with groundfloor commercial property. And throughout the summer of 2015, all appeared as if the project would cruise toward that end without a problem. City council approved more than $1.4 million in development grants and incentives to help the project along.

However, in early 2016, things came to a standstill when issues over the building’s ownership arose between Bowood and the property owner, Richard Senechal.

The issues, which would have prevented Bowood from receiving any of the city’s pre-approved cash, were resolved in May when the two parties came to an agreement that saw Bowood purchasing a 15-per-cent stake in Senechal’s numbered company, which officially owns the building.

Once again, the citizens of Oshawa and city councillors were sighing with relief as things appeared to be back on track.

“The most important thing is that the project is completed,” Councillor John Aker said at the time.

Work has been quiet on the building’s exterior, which was cleaned up with power washers and new windows prior to the work stoppage in January. It is unclear what work has gone on inside the hotel, but Ralph does not envision too much more can be done at this point.

“I don’t think they can go much further without the need for a building permit now,” he says.

Financial issues once again may be plaguing the project, as according to Ontario land registry documents more than $55,000 in construction liens have been taken out on the building.

The first in April for $28,221 by Tri-Con Industrial Roofing, and the second for $28,001 by an individual contractor.

As of The Oshawa Express’ press deadline, it is unclear if these liens have been paid.

Repeated requests for comment from Tracey Christie, the president of Bowood Properties, were not returned as of press time.