The shaded areas on the edge of the city show planned future developments and roads. (Council Agenda Package/City of P.A.)

By Alison Sandstrom

Plans and purchases

Trio of land deals as City of P.A. plans for growth

Feb 4, 2020 | 5:04 PM

P.A. city council has approved nearly $650,000 in land purchases designed to make room for the city’s long-term growth.

At the same meeting on Monday night, councillors agreed to sell two plots of land in the south of the city to the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union (SGEU).

The construction of a new 350 metre collector road is planned to alleviate congestion in the Crescent Acres area. (Council Agenda Package/City of P.A.)

Crescent Acres expansion

At their latest meeting, city councillors approved the $510,000 purchase of 73.17 acres on P.A.’s eastern boundary. The land, like a nearby 26.45 acres bought by the city in the fall, will be used for future development in Crescent Acres area.

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Most of the land won’t be built on for several decades, although the construction of a road linking Byars Street and Highway 302 is planned within the next two years.

“We’ve purchased two parcels already on that side of the city,” Mayor Greg Dionne said during the meeting. “But what this parcel does is finish that whole area. And it gives us access right to the main grid going East so it’s going to give us more options on how to get traffic out of [Crescent] Acres.”

The red line shows an approximation of where the new road would be. (Google Maps)

Marquis Road extension

In another deal, the city’s politicians agreed to purchase approximately 10 acres of land for a total of $132,599 in the southwest corner of P.A.

The properties are needed in order to build the planned Marquis Road extension which will join the main arterial road with 10th Avenue West.

Council awarded the tender for the design, planning and inspection of the project in October.

The city estimates the road will cost $4.7 million. Just over $2 million of that, for the underground infrastructure, was approved by council during November’s budget deliberations.

Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2020, with surfacing set to be finished during 2021.

Potential new SGEU building

In final land deal of the night, council agreed to sell two plots of land on the southern edge of the city to SGEU for $800,000.

The organization has one year to give final consent, during which time the city will keep the properties at 435 and 451 40th Street East off the market.

Ward Coun. Dennis Nowoselsky said the two parcels and others in the area have sat for vacant for years and he would be happy to see them sold.

“I think SGEU is making a good investment,” he told the meeting. “Finally we’re going to see land developed and in the long-run some tax revenue for the city. It’s a good move.”

SGEU asked for a five-year tax abatement as part of the land sale. That abatement will be discussed and voted on at a future council meeting.

The area will also need to be rezoned to allow the organization to construct a multi-use building with office and retail space.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom