The transformation of the former London Psychiatric Hospital lands is set to get underway this spring.
All St. Joseph's patients and staff moved from the site to the new building on Wellington Rd. in late November.
The lands, bounded by Highbury Ave., Oxford St. E. and Dundas St., are owned by Infrastructure Ontario.
The government says parcels of the site are being shopped around to potential developers.
"We have circulated the land and there has been some expression of interest, but other than that we're still in discussion with various parties," says Ian McConachie with Infrastructure Ontario. "It was first circulated to the municipal government as well as local non-profits. If they express an interest we will proceed with the direct sale to them at market value. Any land that's not picked up by them, then we'd proceed to an open market sale where we'd accept bids from the public."
There are several heritage sites on the lands, such as the Chapel of Hope and Recreation Hall. Those will remain intact, with any development being built around them or incorporating them in the design.
The City of London has drafted an 85-page plan for the site. It includes residential buildings, shops, access to transportation and community hubs in the historic sites.
The entire report can be found here.
"No final decisions on any of the buildings have been made," McConachie tells BlackburnNews.com. "There will be buildings that will be preserved."
He says the process will begin in March.
