Photo credit: globalnews.ca
The mayor of a city in Ontario that houses one of Canada’s most infamous prisons has expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of converting the facility into residential housing.
Bryan Paterson shared with Global News that while there is a pressing demand for housing in Kingston, repurposing the Kingston Penitentiary—once home to high-profile inmates like Paul Bernardo—could harm the city’s financial landscape.
“This property holds significant potential for tourism and film industry benefits, which we want to protect,” he stated. “We are open to exploring housing solutions, but we believe there are numerous other federal properties that could be better suited for such initiatives.”
His remarks followed the federal government’s announcement that Kingston Penitentiary, a former maximum-security facility that operated for 178 years before its closure in 2013, may be considered for housing development. The site has recently been added to the Canada Public Land Bank, a federal program aimed at transforming surplus public lands into affordable housing options.
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Situated on the scenic waterfront, Kingston Pen features a museum that allows the public to tour its historic grounds. As the debate over its future unfolds, Paterson emphasized the complexities involved in retrofitting the structure for residential use while maintaining its status as a site of cultural significance.
“I am unsure how Ottawa’s deliberations have progressed, but adapting the prison for housing while still promoting tourism and film use would be quite challenging,” he noted.
Mark Gerretsen, the Liberal MP representing Kingston and the Islands, commented that the federal listing of the penitentiary is merely a preliminary step in a lengthy process. “The property needs to transition from Corrections to Canada Lands, at which point we can advocate for a long-term lease with the city,” he explained. He added, “This does not mean the site will inevitably be demolished. Rather, it presents a chance for Kingston to make a compelling case for a lease.”
Megan Knott, CEO of Tourism Kingston, reaffirmed the significance of the prison’s cultural impact, stating, “Since the penitentiary ceased its original function, the community has mobilized to embrace it as a valuable asset. Tourism has played a pivotal role in reimagining the future of this landmark.”
Source
globalnews.ca