St. Marys Paper turns its last leaf (13 photos)

The new owners of the former St. Mary’s Paper property are unsure what to do with the long time industrial site, but are confident of action in the next year.

And while they aren’t yet sure of which direction to head in, it’s unlikely to be related to industry or manufacturing. 

"As developers we're keenly interested in determining the interest in the site," said Willem Galle (shown above), a Managing Partner of Riversedge Development.

"I can say that nobody has approached us with interest in putting a manufacturing plant here."

Riversedge Development is a Woodstock, Ont. based private partnership that converts industrial or distressed properties into alternative energy and resource recovery sites.

On Wednesday they held a press conference and tour of the old St. Mary’s site and while they’re unsure what to do with the long-time industrial site, Galle reports interest in projects related to cogeneration and cogeneration heating.

When it comes to energy generation, Galle said it would most likely need to be exported as he feels the community is already well served when it comes to electricity. 

Another possibility Galle talked about was turning the site into living quarters - possibly either condominiums or apartments.

Currently, the former St. Mary's Paper site is being decommissioned and Galle expects the process to continue until the New Year, when he hopes to start moving forward on their chosen direction. 

"I don't see any particular purpose or reason to leave this site empty for a long period of time," Galle said.

Galle said they are in the initial dialogue phase and have been speaking with investors trying to determine which direction to head in.

"There are still a number of steps that need to be taken before we can definitively say which direction we're going to head in,” he said. “There's always a circle of interested people that comes with the nature of our business.”

Ward 5 Councilor Frank Fata attended the press conference/tour and is hopeful of an industrial development as unlikely as it may seem.

"Industrial and manufacturing jobs are what we need in this community," said Fata. “I'm hoping there's still a chance for that in the future, but I didn't get that sense."

Fata, who worked as a laborer at St. Mary's Paper for three years in the late-1970's, said he's sad to see the historic site close, but is confident in the new owners.

"I think we can feel good about the people that bought this property," he said.

Moving forward, Galle hopes the sandstone buildings will be kept intact along with the administrative building on Huron Street.

The mill's administrative building is designated an Ontario historical site and can't be demolished, but the other buildings aren’t protected.

"Looking at this site, you can easily see these building are part of the character," said Galle. “One could leave these buildings because they add something to this site and there's so much space here."

If they do proceed with something like a cogeneration plant, Galle said they don't require much space so the buildings could remain and even be used as offices.

And if they were to build condos or apartments, Galle said they could look at using the building as possible living quarters.

Galle refused to reveal what Riversedge paid for the St. Mary's Paper 38-acre site, but did say they were attracted to the Sault partly because of the large size of the site and recent local construction projects like the new Sault Area Hospital.

"We believe Sault Ste. Marie is trending upwards," said Galle. "A lot of work has happened here in the past few years and there is potential moving forward."

While they still need to determine their own future plans, Galle has spoken to government officials about potential grants and apparently has been warmly received.  

"Generally speaking, any investment should stand on its own feet," said Galle. "However, sometimes a kick start can inspire something bigger."