There could be more parking coming to the downtown area of the city.
Recently, the City of Grande Prairie began the process to purchase the Grande Prairie Public School Board Administration Building on 99th Street. One of the options laid out for the future of the building and land is paved surface parking. Community Living Director Garry Roth says the alternatives have also been looked at as well.
“Annually, if we were to keep the building as is and use it for another purpose which is one of the options committee considered. With keeping in mind it is an old building nearing the end of its life cycle, it would around $95,000 a year.”
Roth says to demolish and develop the area as a parking lot would cost around $800,000 altogether.
The city is working on purchasing the building for around $1,500,000 and once the paperwork goes through, they would receive ownership at the end of December.
Roth says it makes sense for the city to own this piece of land.
“That land consolidates the rest of the land that we own on that parcel or that block. Also on that block, the Montrose Cultural Centre, the Art Galley of Grande Prairie, designated space for a future performing arts centre. From a planning perspective, it makes sense for that land to be solely owned by the city.”
If approved, demolition and construction on the parking lot could be started later next year. This space could be used for additional parking at the art gallery or the Montrose Cultural Centre. Roth adds that it could be added to accommodate Courthouse staff or RCMP members as well.