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Kaluski said he has had conversations with other potential developers who would be interested in the motel property eyed by the Salvation Army.

But the Salvation Army has the conditional offer on the property and if city council approves a development application, the organization could have the complex built and operating by 2020.

Many residents in Vanier, together with political representatives for the area, are leery of the Salvation Army’s plan.

The Salvation Army proposes to relocate its services from its Booth Centre in the ByWard Market and build a modern $53-million facility with an emergency shelter, family services, life skills programs, addictions counselling and a special care unit.

The BIA doesn’t see how creating a “mega shelter” would benefit Vanier, especially if it brings safety issues that pop up around the current facility in the market.

“If the (Salvation Army) can’t demonstrate that it wont be transplanting the same issues from the Booth Centre onto Montreal Road, then we have no reason to believe this will have a positive economic impact on Vanier,” Kaluski said.

The Salvation Army says its proposed complex would be properly managed and supervised and be designed as a secure facility.

However, Kaluski is keen on seeing if there are other options for property that would be better suited for that stretch of Montreal Road.

The “traditional mainstreet” zoning for the property allows a health centre but not a shelter. Council would need to allow an exception for the Salvation Army.

“There’s a reason for a plan and a reason for zoning and there’s no compelling reason to make an exception to that,” Kaluski said.

jwilling@postmedia.com

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