Chatham-Kent is working on a proposal that could see the municipality purchase several properties in Wheatley that have been part of an evacuation zone since a gas explosion in the summer of 2021.
Municipal officials said they will be reaching out to owners sometime this month to discuss potentially purchasing the 11 properties as part of “conceptual mitigation plans for the community.”
If the properties are publicly owned, the municipality said it would allow the community to provide input on a future vision for the area. It would also allow the municipality to implement further safety measures.
“It is hoped that these steps may help in the re-building and healing process for the community,” the municipality said in the news release.
The municipality emphasized that no final decisions on these properties have been made at this point and a public meeting will take place on March 1 to allow for community input. Further details about the meeting will be released in the coming days.
Following the community meeting, municipal administration will report back to Chatham-Kent Council to determine the next steps.
A release of methane hydrogen sulphide caused an explosion in downtown Wheatley on August 26, 2021, which destroyed two buildings and injured 20 people.