The City of Owen Sound is inviting eligible organizations to submit Expressions of Interest for the temporary use of the municipally owned “Rice House,” located at 846 1st Avenue West.
The two-storey property, which includes four apartment units, is slated for demolition in the coming years to make way for the future expansion needs of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery. Until then, the City is exploring opportunities for the building to serve a community purpose.
The Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) will help the City gauge demand and inform a second-stage, invitational Request for Proposal process.
Eligible proponents include:
Non-profit housing organizations
Public sector entities under Ontario legislation such as the Health Protection and Promotion Act or the Education Act
Government bodies, including Grey County
Accredited post-secondary institutions, such as Georgian College
Submissions are due by Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 1:00:59 p.m. Full details can be found on the City’s website under Purchasing, GIS, Risk and Asset Management.
The Rice House, located immediately north of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, was purchased by the City in 1989 with partial funding from the gallery’s capital campaign. In recent years, it has been used for community support initiatives, including temporary housing through the Ukrainian Village of Owen Sound.
