A former alderman’s estate is offering to donate four Chatham properties to the municipality.
Chatham-Kent Council will decide whether to accept the donation at tonight’s council meeting.
Thomas Campbell, a former alderman on Chatham council, as well as a lawyer and real estate developer, died in August of 2022. Campbell’s lawyer contacted the municipality to see if officials were interested in a donation of various properties from Campbell’s estate.
The properties are all along the Thames River, including three parcels on Riverview Drive and another near the Civic Centre.
A report to council states the property near the Civic Centre could have potential to develop parking for the downtown core, and acquiring the Riverview Drive parcels could help prevent future river erosion.
If accepted, the transfer of land would be a donation with no purchase price and free of any liens or encumbrances. The municipality would be able to conduct environmental testing before accepting the donation and could choose not to proceed if any issues arise.
