Chris Clegg
South Peace News
A developer who built a lot of the office space in downtown High Prairie is back with another proposal.
And hopes for a better and quicker response from town council’s CAO than last year.
Darrell Shewchuk told council at its June 10 meeting he approached the Town about a development last year but the CAO seemed “he didn’t care” and “left the week after” Shewchuk told council.
Shewchuk’s intention is develop a duplex for rent in an empty lot in the town’s north end on 59 Ave., the former site of the Children’s Resource Centre. Originally, he wanted to build a four-plex but said the ground could not sustain a big building.
Shewchuk added he is willing to put $40,000 into developing the site to prepare for construction, and is waiting for CAO David Joy to respond to his offer for the land, which has sat vacant for years.
“I even thought about putting in two small homes,” he said.
Ironically, he received a call from Big Lakes County recently asking if he would develop acreages he owns west of High Prairie.
Given the cost of building, Shewchuk quipped the following.
“ . . .if you don’t (approve my offer), maybe you’re doing me a favour,” he said.
Shewchuk added the Town sold another lot about two years ago without advertising. The land remains empty.
Shewchuk awaits an answer from the Town.