If you haven't shared your thoughts with municipal officials on a proposal to revitalize Chatham's downtown core yet, you don't have much time left to do that.
Public engagement for the proposed "Imagine Chatham-Kent" project will close on the Let's Talk Chatham-Kent website at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 15. The comment section first opened on June 14.
Since then, dozens of users have logged in to add their thoughts on the project, with mixed opinions about the proposal. You can read the comments and submit your own feedback by clicking here.
As of late Thursday morning, most of the comments were positive, while many also raised questions and concerns about some sectors or features that may be left out.
"We must be brave and move forward with all aspects of this project for our prosperous future," said one user who commented early in the process, identified as Simcha BenYsrael. "Thank You to the project crew and the Partners for bringing Chatham-Kent out of the slump and giving us a glorious future."
Another user, identified as matt_gagner added his support by saying, "This is absolutely a game changer for our municipality, and will bring positive change for generations to come... I hope that council can get this passed as soon as possible."
James Snyder, the chair of the Chatham Kent Arts and Culture Network, took time to include a full letter in his comment, sharing several questions including some about the impact the proposed development would have on annual municipal budgets and others on whether any existing cultural facilities would be closed or sold off in order to pay for the project.
Devon Hansen, who owns Chatham Music Academy, said he supports the plan, but added that "once again it seems the city is trying to push a new arena on tax payers while ignoring the arts."
He went on to call for more investment in arts-focused facilities like the Kiwanis Theatre.
There were also some tougher critics of the project.
"This property has been a mistake from the beginning, never should have been built, but money talks," said a user identified as John Rehner. "A new arena is needed not a new library... forget the library -- build the biggest arena possible on that land."
A user identified as Larry Richie kept things simple, just calling the plan a "waste of taxpayers money."
In addition to the online form, residents can pick up a hard copy of a feedback form from any library or municipal centre.
Municipal staff will be presenting their next report to Chatham-Kent Council on August 8 and may be providing further direction at that time.
