The City of Prince Albert has received three offers to purchase the police service’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Building, plus the adjoining parking lot, located on the corner of 15th Street West and Central Avenue.
The Dr. K. Cadman Orthodontic Services Prof. Corp. made the highest bid, offering $365,000 for the building and land, plus $15,000 for the adjacent parking area. City administration has recommended that council accept the offer, according to a report included in Monday’s council meeting agenda package.
Other organizations who bid on the property include Prince Albert Mobile Crisis, who offered $360,000 for the building and land, plus $5,000 for the parking lot, and the Lavoie Stonechild Law Office who offered $362,000 for the building and land, plus $800 for the parking area. All proposals were made during a tender process that ended on Jan. 31.
Realtors consulted by the Prince Albert Police Service recommended a listing price of $399,000 for the properties.
The Board of Police Commissioners approved the sale at a public meeting on Feb. 10, but city council still needs to vote on the item before it’s official.
Proceeds from the sale will go towards paying off the $750,000 in internal financing used to purchase the police department’s new Downtown Substation across from City Hall.
The City of Prince Albert originally purchased the CID building for $640,000 in 2008.
The sale isn’t the only property-related item up for discussion on Monday. Council will also make a final decision on adjusting lot prices in the Crescent Acres neighbourhood by adjusting the 20 per cent franchise fee. There is also an option to remove the Premium Lot Fee of 10 per cent.
The City failed to sell a single lot in Crescent Acres last year, and only two the year before. There are 38 vacant lots for sale in the neighbourhood, with an additional 77 ready to go on the market. One lot is on hold with a $500 non-refundable deposit for 2020.
“Although administration is currently undertaking a complete review of the land fund, in the interim it is still necessary to explore opportunities to reduce the prices of City owned lots in order to spur development in the housing market,” reads a report from the City’s property coordinator included in the agenda package. There are 30 items in total up for debate at the Monday, Feb. 24 council meeting. Other items include a final vote on the amended Recreation Facilities and Parks Bylaw, which will create a curfew on parks and byways, as well as a debate on the City’s new Cultural Diversity and Protocol Policy.
