Land Values

The whole SCITS and St. Clair plans seem to be a little haphazard, with little forward thinking.  To illustrate this fact, in the Sarnia South Secondary Schools ARC Frequently Asked Questions (available here), the LKDSB admits they have not appraised the land at SCITS or St. Clair.  You would think that would be one of the first steps in this process as the sale of the unused property could be applied against the renovation of the other.

Even without an appraisal, it is not hard to figure out which parcel of land will be worth much more in the end.

The SCITS building is bigger, older and more specialized.  There is less land at the site, it sits in a more residential neighbourhood and is closer to neighbouring properties.  Odds are, if closed, the building will be left to rot away much like Sarnia General Hospital or Devine Street School.

The property at St. Clair is twice the size, sits on one of Sarnia’s main thoroughfares and is more isolated from neighbours than SCITS.  It is not hard to imagine proper redevelopment of the site, whether residential, commercial or institutional.  There is even enough space for a buffer zone between any redevelopment and the residential areas to the Southeast.  On the West and North Sides of the property, there is a major 4 lane road and commercial or institutional land (Community Living, a church and the Good Will) between the school and any residential properties.

The St. Clair property is simply more valuable and more easily redeveloped. Any proceeds from selling the property could be used for Parking or Accessibility upgrades at SCITS.