City of St. Thomas Invites Expressions of Interest for Adaptive Reuse of Wellington Block
The City of St. Thomas has issued a Request for Information (RFI) with an Expression of Interest (EOI) document to invite qualified developers, investors, and community partners to submit proposals for the potential purchase and adaptive reuse of the former Wellington Street Public School property, located at 50 Wellington Street.
Known as the Wellington Block, this City-owned site includes a designated heritage building constructed in 1898 and occupies a prominent corner at Wellington and Elgin Streets. The City is seeking visionary and innovative proposals that respect the site’s heritage character while contributing to economic growth, housing supply, cultural vitality, and long-term community revitalization.
The EOI outlines opportunities for a range of potential uses, including mixed-use development, residential (market or affordable), boutique hotel or hospitality, cultural or institutional uses, commercial space, and other creative adaptive reuse concepts that align with the City’s strategic priorities.
“This Expression of Interest represents an important step in reimagining a landmark property with deep community roots,” said Mayor Joe Preston. “We’re looking for proposals that both honour the building’s history and help build a vibrant future for St. Thomas.”
Purchasing Process and Questions
This process is being administered through the City’s Purchasing Division using the Bids & Tenders platform. All questions must be submitted through the “Submit a Question” function on Bids & Tenders.
Key Dates:
EOI Release Date: May 13, 2026
Optional Site Tours: June 10 and/or June 24, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Submission Deadline: July 15, 2026
Download the EOI Document: [Link to Wellington Block EOI PDF]
Visit the Bids & Tenders Portal: [Link to Bids & Tenders – to be added]