Council hears debate on sale of land to Irving

The proposed sale ofproperty to Irving Oil Ltd. that would make way for the company's construction of its world headquarters on the Saint John harbourfront proved a contentious issueamong 30 presenters speaking to city council on Monday night.

Irving Oil has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saint John Port Authority for a $10-million dealin which the company would lease Long Wharf and buy a piece of property for the construction of a $30-million building.

The deal is contingent on the sale of the former Lantic Sugar refinery site. The city must sell Irving the property, which would then be given to the port authority in exchange for the land the world headquarters would be built on at Long Wharf.

Six presenters spoke against the sale while 24 were in favour of the deal.

Developer John Rocca said debate about the construction of the world headquarters has led some investors to believe that New Brunswick's port city is anti-Irving.

"My plea to you is to begin the process of developing an agenda around which all stakeholders can unite," Rocca said.

Longshoremen oppose deal

The city must work to find a compromise between the city's port authority and the International Longshoremen's Association, which is one of the deal's main opponents.

The association has argued that once Long Wharf is leased to Irving Oil, the city will no longer have the option to increase port business.

Only one ship can be tied at the old sugar refinery site, while three can be tied at Long Wharf, said Abel LeBlanc, a local MLA and a former longshoreman.

"We believe that a request for proposals should be issued for the Lantic Sugar refinery property, and that the minimum bid should reflect the property's highest and best use," said longshoreman Patrick Riley.

Meanwhile, the Saint John Port Authority has been one of the project's biggest boosters and has urged the city to make the refinery sale.

"This proposal came to us, we've looked at it, it enhances our cruise business, we're not going to move our cruise business, it enhances that, and it won't get any better than that," said Al Soppitt of the Saint John Port Authority.

The city has owned the two hectare site for about five years and has spent about $400,000 dealing with environmental concerns that have prevented its sale.

Because of the contamination of the site and its industrial surroundings, the best use for the area is for port business, Rocca said.

"You would not be doing any developers a favour, by offering the land for $1, any more than the former owner did you a favour, by giving it to you for $1," Rocca told council.

If council agrees to sell the land it will have the right to set the price, said Saint John Mayor Ivan Court.

Court has declined to comment onwhether he supports the project or not.

Council is expected to make its decisionabout the land on Aug. 18.