Essex council votes to spruce up Harrow

Essex town council has cleared the way for a new investment opportunity in Harrow by agreeing to sell two properties currently used as parking lots.

Deputy mayor Richard Melcohe said a developer needs the space to bring an unnamed national chain to downtown harrow.

"I think you're going to hear something in the very near future," he said.

Meloche said the land deal is the "last piece" needed to get things rolling.

"I know the whoever this national account is has already made some deals with buildings that abut the parking lot," he said.

Meloche said he is aware the new business wants to be up and running by the end of the year.

Council also supported a community improvement plan for the downtown business district in Harrow.

Businesses could apply for money to help pay for improvement projects, such as sprucing up their facades.

"Businesses within the [community improvement plan] area would like to come up with some ideas on what they would like to do to improve their storefronts, improve their facilities and put on a better face for those who are visiting," he said. "I think [business owners] see this, too, as a signal from their Essex council that they've got faith in the town of Harrow [and] that we think that there's bigger and better things coming up."

Meloche said a consultant will present council with more information on the process in about two weeks.