Lambton County Council has given staff a deadline to finalize a deal that's critical to the redevelopment of the Bayside Centre downtown.
Council instructed staff at its meeting in Wyoming Wednesday morning, to close negotiations for the redevelopment of the county's leased space no later than the end of September.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said he is encouraged by the step.
"All the reports that I've received from the parties involved are very positive, they're moving forward," said Bradley. "It may be evolving in different directions, that's what negotiations are about, because of the in-camera rules I'm not in the position to go into detail, but it is moving forward and having a deadline is helpful for everyone on both sides of the negotiations."
Seasons Retirement Communities acquired the old mall in 2017 and announced plans for a $40 million development.
The Oakville-based company said it wanted to renovate the southern block at Cromwell and Vidal streets for commercial use and build a 12-storey residential tower for retirees on the north-west part of the property at George and Vidal streets.
Relocating Lambton Shared Services to the southern block by this Christmas was also proposed.
The city agreed to sell the land underneath the mall to Seasons for $1 million last summer, but an agreement with the county on a new lease for 55,000 square feet of office space is required first.
