Cap'n Mike sells old auto shop to the city

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story incorrectly said an old car wash belonging to Bibba Enterprises Ltd. had been sold to the city. In fact, it is an old auto shop that has been sold.

As part of ongoing efforts to build a downtown plaza, Sault Ste. Marie City Council will be asked tonight to buy an old auto shop at 516 and 526 Bay St. from Mike Scholz's Bibba Enterprises Ltd.

Known locally over the years as a tugboat captain, open-water snowmobiler, stock-car driver, maverick gas station owner and seller of motorcycles, boats and exotic automobiles, Scholz will collect $210,000 from the deal.

Tom Vair, the city's deputy chief administrative officer for community development and enterprise services, says buying the property will help:

• improve appearance and aesthetics of the site
• improve traffic flow and parking for the downtown plaza
• provide additional space which gives flexibility for layout of the plaza

"Working with Brook McIlroy (the design consultants hired to undertake the detailed planning of the plaza), staff have confirmed that the 516-526 Bay Street property offers strategic advantages to the plaza development," Vair says.

Scholz will be allowed to remove windows and other items from the property, which is directly across Bingham Street from the Bay Street Tim Horton's.

Tonight's City Council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m., subject to any restrictions related to the COVID-19 epidemic and access to the Civic Centre.