City Invites Proposals for Temporary Use of Rice House Ahead of Future Demolition
City of Owen Sound seeks short-term occupants for four-unit Rice House before planned demolition for possible Tom Thomson Art Gallery expansion. Expressions of interest are due August 27.
The City of Owen Sound is inviting eligible organizations to propose short-term uses for the municipally owned “Rice House” at 846 1st Avenue West.
The four-unit residential building, located immediately north of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, is slated for demolition in the coming years to make way for a possible gallery expansion. That project is not in the City’s current five-year capital plan and is unlikely to begin before 2028.
Temporary Occupancy Sought
Through a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI), the City is gauging whether non-profits, public sector organizations, government bodies, or accredited post-secondary institutions are interested in occupying the building for one to three years.
Eligible proponents must qualify for a development charges exemption under the City’s by-law.
The property has previously served various community needs, most recently as temporary housing for Ukrainians who arrived in 2022 after fleeing the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian Village of Owen Sound maintained and paid utilities for the property until the arrangement ended last year.
Council’s Reversal on Interim Use
In June, Council voted down a proposal to commission a full study into potential temporary uses for the Rice House. At the time, Mayor Ian Boddy said he would be open to hearing from interested groups but did not support spending money to seek them out.
Staff reported to Council in July that interest had been expressed — including by Georgian College — prompting a motion to reconsider. On July 21, Council approved moving forward with an RFEOI and a second-stage Request for Proposal process, along with up to $6,500 from capital reserves for immediate repairs.
Condition and Costs
Facilities staff found the building structurally sound and suitable for three to five years of occupancy with minor work, including fascia and building envelope repairs and a new hot water tank. The tenant would cover operating costs, leasehold improvements, and other municipal user fees.
Background: Gallery Expansion Link
The lot on which the Rice House sits was identified in a 2024 Tom Thomson Art Gallery feasibility study as a potential expansion site. Two options presented to Council by Diamond Schmitt Architects include a two-storey addition or a shared lobby between the gallery and the library. Either option carries an estimated cost of about $16 million and would require significant fundraising.
Until that project moves forward, the City says putting the Rice House to interim use is a more sustainable approach than leaving it vacant.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Full details are available on the City’s website.
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