Update on 10 Bay and how McMaster is supporting tenants
We understand this has been a disruptive period for residents of 10 Bay, and the planned temporary relocation between February 4 to 9 adds more inconvenience to their experience. We are committed to making this brief relocation as comfortable as possible and will be here throughout to support our tenants.
Relocating tenants for this period is a necessary, critical step, that will make it possible for the university and its development partner to resolve this complex issue. We are taking this extraordinary and more exhaustive approach because we want to remedy the water supply and ensure the well-being of our students.
The rent reductions that all tenants have been receiving since September recognize the ongoing disruptions. Students will receive a 25% rent reduction for February, as well as a rent-free period for the days that the tenants will be at the hotel. This refund is in addition to the previous 25% rent refund for November, December and January due to the water quality issue, and a 25% refund for October and 50% rent refund for September considering amenity delays. On average per tenant, will have received a total refund of $2885 between September and February. As part of the temporary relocation plan, we are providing a meal allowance of $100 per day, transportation to and from the hotels, which are also paid for by the project, and arranging study spaces for residents.
McMaster has been following the recommendations of Hamilton Public Health, our development partner and our own independent professional water consultants to tackle this stubborn issue. Efforts to trace and eliminate the problem have continued throughout this time.
The previous chlorination efforts focused only on the building’s main water supply pipe, which we had expected would solve the problem with minimal disruption to the daily lives of our student residents. The upcoming chlorination is comprehensive and will address the complete system, down to the smallest branches of piping and individual fixtures and hardware. While the chlorination process is underway, there will be no potable water in the building. As well, any use of the water during this time could compromise the success of these efforts.
In consultation with Hamilton Public Health and our experts, we continue to offer bottled water to all tenants and have advised residents of extra steps they could choose to take, including boiling water, if they had additional concerns. We have also advised those with medical questions to seek advice from health professionals and have offered support from the university’s Student Wellness team.
During the period since the building opened to its first residents in September, other issues from that time – many of them common to new buildings – have been addressed, including the completion of painting, fixtures and opening amenities that had not been completely ready at the time of opening, such as the movie and music rooms, study spaces and gym. The last of these amenities in the occupied floors of the building, the parking garage, is now open and operational.
We want to ensure that our students’ questions and concerns are addressed. Last week, a team of McMaster leaders met with residents, and the university has organized more sessions this week before the temporary relocation. This is in addition to the one-on-one meetings we previously offered. As well, housing staff are always on site if students have questions and concerns.
We acknowledge that this has been a stressful period for our tenants, and McMaster wants it to be clear that providing safe, comfortable accommodation for its students has been and continues to be our top priority.
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