Members of the public got some further clarity on the proposed housing development on Park Avenue at an information session on April 15 with two representatives involved in the project on hand to answer questions.
Stuart Ramsay of the Bryton Group and David McWalter of L&M Engineering outlined plans for the planned 30-lot, single family residential area adjacent to the BC Ferries terminal site. McWalter said the lots are designed to offer more space than may be available elsewhere in town.
"These are very large lots, typically larger than the existing lots on Graham Avenue by a large margin. They are 20 metre frontages, which is 66 feet, by 40 metres deep, which is 130 feet. They are huge lots. We are thinking the price of those lots will be between $250,000 and $300,000," he said.
"We feel that these are the last of the view lots within the core city of Prince Rupert. We expect people to come in here and build large homes and those require large lots. As well, people in Northern B.C. enjoy having a lot of toys such as trailers and skidoos and boats and the large lots allow space for parking or storage."
One of the reasons for the higher price tag is to accommodate the construction of a new road and sidewalk connecting Park Avenue to Graham Avenue. McWalter said the road would be a steep one that requires several metres of fill and the purchase of land from the City of Prince Rupert and BC Ferries.
"The City of Prince Rupert is willing to sell the land, BC Ferries is a little further away as they don't quite understand the need for this particular road. From my perspective, as a transportation engineer, this road provides important second access in case the bridge ever fails or there is a need for a backup for emergency vehicles," he said.
"People tonight have said, universally, that the road is a great idea and they are happy to see it is being designed for single family residential ... people have been very supportive."
While the Bryton Group envisions developing the remainder of the land on Park Avenue as a gated community in the future, the development of the 30 lots overlooking the harbour is a lot closer than some may assume.
"We want to have it developed this year, this is not speculative. We anticipate having the rezoning done by June and that then gives us an opportunity to start marketing the properties, but number one priority is to get this road cleared and built," he said.
"Our hope is to have construction starting in the fall."