The Quality Inn has been closed since the summer. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Indebted hotel

Shuttered hotel inspected by city staff

Jan 8, 2020 | 5:22 PM

Staff from the City of Prince Albert are checking in on the shuttered Quality Inn Hotel downtown, which could become a public asset in the month’s ahead.

The hotel, which has been closed since the summer, received some visits from municipal staff this week. City Manager Jim Toye said the city is looking in on the property as they work to collect back taxes through the provincial Tax Enforcement Act. The hotel owes nearly $700,000.

“It’s not a city owned building, however we are in a tax enforcement process,” he said.

Toye explained staff were in the building over the last two days to make sure everything was in good working order. This included making sure no one had got inside and that lights and heat were working. Toye said taking these actions helps protect the public’s interest with the owners of the property owing back taxes.

“We want to protect the interest of the citizens of the City of Prince Albert,” he said.

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The city manager explained they have been on the process for a couple of years to deal with the owed taxes. Toye said the city is currently working with a third party and the current owner of the building to try to come up with a plan to deal with the debt. In the event the parties are not able to reach an agreement to pay off the back taxes, the city could end up taking over ownership of the building.

Toye added the majority of property owners in the city pay their taxes and when they don’t the city is prepared to act.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn