A familiar face popped up at city hall early this week, nearly a year-and-a-half after it was last seen around 300 Dufferin — Roger Caranci.

The long-time councillor, you’ll recall, decided against seeking re-election in the 2010 civic campaign, opting instead to run as the federal Liberal candidate for London-Fanshawe in what was then a looming federal election.

We all know how that turned out: the Stephen Harper Tories seized a majority government at the great expense of the Liberals, who were devastated nationwide. And in the process, Caranci lost his bid to become MP, too.

And that brings us to today, with Caranci seeking to enter a new field, possibly working with a former council colleague, and working as a consultant on city hall issues for a few clients.

The most notable of them? Tricar, which is building a second high-rise across the street from the John Labatt Centre and seeking a partnership with city hall on an adjacent parking garage the developer is planning.

Caranci worked with Tricar on that proposal, which council endorsed in principle in the fall. (Essentially, the deal could see Tricar building the garage, with 300-or-so space, and leasing it to the city. One estimate put the annual leasing costs at $500,000.)

City staff are studying the proposal and looking into negotiations with Tricar. A report is expected to go to politicians in the near future.

Amid all that, Caranci, 47, says he keeps a keen eye on his old stomping grounds. For a politician, there really is no other choice, he said.

“When it’s in your blood, it’s in your blood,” he said.