Mayor calls project an investment in heritage and downtown revitalization, while challengers question rising costs and whether taxpayers will get lasting value
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Aurora’s plan to spend $2.18 million refurbishing Victoria Hall for a restaurant has become a flashpoint in the municipal election, exposing sharp differences over heritage preservation, downtown revitalization and how taxpayers’ money should be spent.
Mayor Tom Mrakas seeking re-election says the investment will preserve a town-owned historic building, attract private investment and bring new activity downtown. Several challengers, however, argue the steep increase from an initial estimate of about $500,000 demands greater scrutiny, while others question whether a restaurant is the best use of a public building.
The town’s approved refurbishment budget covers restoration and rehabilitation. Under the agreement, former Aqua Grill owner Stephen Ho will pay for restaurant-specific improvements, including the kitchen, equipment, dining areas, furnishings and interior fit-outs, Mrakas said. The tenant will also pay market rent, utilities, maintenance and operating costs.
“To be clear, Aurora taxpayers are not paying for the restaurant-specific improvements,” Mrakas said.
He described the project as “a win for Aurora taxpayers, a win for heritage preservation and a win for our downtown,” arguing it will protect an important part of Aurora’s history while creating a destination for residents and visitors.
But mayoral candidate John Gallo, who voted against the final lease agreement, said the project’s escalating cost raises concerns about financial oversight and value for money.
Gallo said he initially supported exploring a restaurant as a way to revitalize downtown and make better use of town-owned property. However, he said the move from a much smaller proposed investment to $2.18 million changes the financial equation.
“Before committing millions of taxpayer dollars, council should have a clear understanding of the financial risks, long-term costs, expected revenues, and alternative uses of the property,” he said.
“Good intentions do not automatically make for good financial decisions.”
Mayoral candidate Shawn Deane opposes converting the building to commercial use, arguing Victoria Hall should remain a public facility.
The 143-year-old heritage building has been neglected for years, Deane said, pointing to an earlier repair estimate of $660,000 in the town’s asset management plan and a later estimate of $500,000. He questioned why the project now requires $2.18 million, citing newly identified dry rot and repairs required to meet restaurant building codes.
Deane also criticized the decision to proceed with a glass solarium design despite opposition from the heritage advisory committee, saying the town should have prioritized the building’s community use rather than accommodating a future restaurant operator.
He warned that the project poses financial risks at a time when restaurants are facing economic pressures.
Mayoral candidate Yafang Shi said the heritage building should be properly preserved and reserved for community use, rather than renovated for commercial purposes using taxpayers’ money.
She also raised concerns about the project’s rising cost. The significant increase, she said, raises questions about fiscal responsibility, transparency and the management of public funds.
Questions about cost and community use
Ward 1 candidate Rocco Morsillo also opposes the plan, saying a smaller renovation could have restored Victoria Hall as a community hub for activities such as studios, birthday parties and youth groups.
“I don’t believe the plan for Victoria Hall represents a good use of taxpayer money,” Morsillo said.
He also raised concerns about garbage-bin locations, parking and noise, arguing the town should have focused on preserving the building within the original $500,000 budget.
Ward 1 candidate Lauren Hanna supports heritage preservation and downtown investment but said the project’s value depends on its full financial picture, including lease terms, ongoing costs and long-term community benefits.
“A restaurant could be a positive addition,” Hanna said, but she would have preferred greater transparency and earlier opportunities for residents, particularly those living nearby, to weigh in on the building’s future.
The increase to $2.18 million also raises questions about how the budget was developed, she said. Hanna wants future councils to distinguish preliminary funding allocations from fully developed project estimates so residents can better understand potential commitments.
Ward 2 candidate Angela Daust supports repairing and maintaining Victoria Hall but questions the size of the budget and the loss of another public space to a restaurant.
“We have already given up the armoury as a public space to Slabtown, and now we are losing another public space to another restaurant,” Daust said.
She also questioned whether rental income could justify the renovation cost over time and warned that another restaurant could worsen parking pressures around Town Square, Town Park and the library.
Ward 2 candidate Marco Di Girolamo sees potential in giving Victoria Hall a new purpose while preserving its heritage. He said a restaurant could draw more people downtown and encourage visitors to explore nearby businesses.
However, Di Girolamo said the $2.18-million investment must be carefully managed, with transparent costs, clear long-term financial implications and accountability for the results.
“Preserving our heritage and revitalizing downtown can be worthwhile investments in Aurora’s future,” he said, “but we must balance those opportunities with our responsibility to spend taxpayers’ money wisely and ensure the community receives lasting value.”
Ward 2 candidate Brynn Lansdown said she has not seen the long-term community benefits and risks demonstrated clearly enough to justify the spending.
Rather than allowing Victoria Hall to become an election talking point, Lansdown said, the project should prompt open communication about its costs, risks, expected benefits and how success will be measured.
“Residents deserve to understand how their tax dollars are being invested and what lasting value they can expect in return,” she said.
Ward 3 candidate Nikki Alber also supports preserving historic buildings and revitalizing downtown but said the budget increase warrants scrutiny, particularly given Aurora’s competing infrastructure needs.
Although the restaurant operator will cover operating expenses and restaurant-specific improvements, taxpayers remain responsible for a significant investment in the municipally owned building, Alber said.
She wants greater transparency around the lease’s financial terms, expected town revenue and public benefits, as well as consideration of whether a restaurant appropriately balances commercial opportunities with Victoria Hall’s historic role as a community space.
“I am not opposed to creative partnerships that preserve our heritage and support local businesses,” Alber said. “However, every significant expenditure must be justified.”
Ward 3 candidate Harold MacDonald, a former restaurant owner, raised practical questions about operating a restaurant in the building, including where garbage bins, grease traps, washrooms, coolers and storage would go, how a commercial ventilation system could be installed, and how deliveries and staff and customer parking would be handled.
He suggested a plaza at 15171 Yonge St. might have been a more suitable location.
“With other options, and the original budget of $500,000 that is now 2.18 million — this does not seem to be money well spent,” MacDonald said.
Ward 3 candidate Alexandra Bonham described Victoria Hall as a beautiful, underutilized building that is part of Aurora’s history. She noted that an initial assessment estimated a significantly lower restoration cost, but heritage buildings dating to 1883 can have hidden structural issues.
While stressing the importance of keeping projects within budget, Bonham said bringing back a beloved family-owned restaurant would honour the building’s heritage, enhance the hall and ensure it remains in use.
Calls for accountability and competing priorities
Ward 5 candidate Terrence Zhu said heritage preservation and downtown revitalization can deliver long-term benefits, but major public investments must demonstrate clear value.
The rise from $500,000 to $2.18 million raises legitimate questions about project planning, cost estimates and financial accountability, Zhu said. He would want to review the lease, maintenance responsibilities, projected revenue and long-term benefits before deciding whether the project represents good value.
“Public investment should protect community assets, not simply subsidize private business operations,” he said.
Ward 5 candidate Milton Hart similarly said the project must demonstrate lasting public benefits and responsible financial planning. He wants a transparent breakdown of costs, a business case for the restaurant agreement, projected operating expenses and revenue, and an explanation of the long-term community benefits.
“If the project can demonstrate lasting value, protect our heritage, and operate in a financially responsible manner, it may be a worthwhile investment,” Hart said. “However, if the financial risks outweigh the public benefits, council must be prepared to reconsider its approach.”
Ward 5 candidate George Tremtsidis questioned whether candidates and residents have enough information to properly assess the project, citing in-camera meetings and the unexplained increase in cost.
He said a close council vote accompanied by requests for more information should prompt a pause and further review. Tremtsidis also criticized what he described as a pattern of cost overruns on municipal projects.
Ward 5 candidate Charity Dela Cruz-Toupin said she does not believe refurbishing Victoria Hall for a restaurant is the right priority while residents face rising costs for housing, groceries and other necessities.
She said the town should assess the project against other needs, including road maintenance, recreation programs, parks and community facilities.
“Just because we can spend money on something doesn’t mean it should be our priority,” Dela Cruz-Toupin said. She called for a strong, transparent business case before the Town commits millions of dollars.
Ward 6 candidate Zivka Kicic questioned whether the town negotiated the best possible deal for residents and how long it would take to recover the investment through rent.
Based on a proposed base rent of $22 to $25 per square foot, Kicic estimated annual rent would be about $36,300 to $41,250. At that rate, she said, recovering a $2-million investment through base rent alone would take approximately 49 to 55 years, before expenses and the time value of money.
Kicic asked whether an independent commercial rental appraisal was obtained, how fair market value was established and whether the lease was negotiated openly and competitively.
“Taxpayers deserve more than selected pieces of information; they deserve clear answers about how their money is being spent and whether decisions deliver the best value for our community,” she said.
While candidates differ on whether a restaurant is an appropriate future for Victoria Hall, many agree that preserving the heritage building and revitalizing downtown are worthwhile goals. The central disagreement is whether the $2.18-million commitment, the lease arrangement and the building’s proposed commercial use strike the right balance between those goals and taxpayers’ interests.
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