In the end, it wasn’t even close.

The biggest showdown in years at Niagara Region headquarters ended with councillors voting down the largest grant for a developer in the upper-tier municipality’s 55-year history — a $40-million request through the City of Welland.

Only six councillors — Welland Mayor Frank Campion and Coun. Pat Chiocchio, Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele and Coun. Vance Badawey and St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe and Coun. Sal Sorrento — supported awarding a Property Rehabilitation and Revitalization Tax Increment Grant for a master-planned community on land purchased by developer LIV Communities from the City of Welland for $35 million.

The Lock and Quay project, if it goes forward, will unfold in 18 stages along the Welland Recreational Canal at the base of Quaker Roa

See Full Page