Thursday, 14 March 2024

We had a plan

Happy Pi Day! It is March 14th, which is: 3/14 , which translates to π! JB bought himself a pie for breakfast. He sent this to Caitlin, to tell the girls!

"Grampa Joe is having PIE for breakfast, ARE they SQUARED with the idea?"

We've shared lots of pies over the years. The first Caitlin made.

Firstly: daffodil evidence. They are raising their little shoots to glory!

We had an adventure. We went into town to get a Measles (MMR) booster shot from our Nurse at our GP's office. I have a hospice client, and I don't want to take risks.

On the way into town, this apartment building is coming along. I've been following its progress since 2012.

We stopped for a fire truck. From there we went for lunch in Smiths Falls. Then we took off for a drive.

Twas a nice drive. We were headed to Narrows Lock.

We passed the turn for Lake Eloida. This is where we took the girls swimming during Gramma Camp, 2021. Nearby, we passed this is great house with some fabulous lawn decor. We've been by here before.

This is what we saw during a September, 2018 drive on this spot! I made JB turn around to go back and grab a photo.

All decked out for Easter!

The fields are turning green, way earlier than normal.

The rivers and lakes are quickly thawing.

Lots of people were out biking in the sunshine.

Tomorrow, we made it to Narrows Lock!

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

We didn't find too much going on, driving through town, aside from the digging. The digging made me happy. We need affordable rental housing. OK, UPDATE: they are $2300/month. Not affordable for many.

The Present: Oct. 2023, 131 Gore Street, Perth

I've seen nothing new about this property. Until this past week. Someone is digging it up!

I've been saving these photos in a blog post, just in case. Time to unpack the case:

BEFORE: 2012

This was a small building. The photo is from Google, 2012.

DURING: June 2020

It was — For Sale @ $369,000. The site was going to be developed into "a four-unit residential building. Cash-in-lieu of parking at new Perth development in limbo as council defers action on wider parking space proposal."

I noticed it mid-June, when JB came home to tell me it was being worked on.

By the end of summer, it was a bit weedy!

November 2020

THEN: Oct. 17, 2021

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? Vacant lot remains as Perth apartment building plans shelved

Apparently, the apartment building is a no go. The cost of lumber was cited as one of the factors. The other problem is the supply chain. Many of us are having issues with some items in stores.

Dec. 13, 2021 another update:

Perth’s Empty Lot: The story behind the unfinished apartment plan at 131 Gore St. E.

Chuahan said the advice they received over the last year by various planning staff, followed by the “extreme misdirection and out-of-pocket expenses has me reeling.” Had he known then what he does now, “the original structure would never have been demolished.”

April 1st, 2023

We drove by, and there is a new For Sale sign. It is listed for $325,000. It has now been zoned, approved by the town, and a four-unit building is planned. The buyer needs to pay a security deposit, and cash-in-lieu of parking ($6000), and it is all yours!

Oct. 26th, 2022

Feb. 7, 2023

AFTER: Sold July 7, 2023 For $295,000!

Dec. 6, 2023

UPDATE: They have a QR code which leads to a website!

$2300/month

Feb. 8th, 2024, I noticed they are beginning to build a new apartment building. There is a lack of affordable housing in our region, as in many regions. Too many landlords, charging bizarre amounts per month and people frustrated trying to find a place to rent.