A historic property on 100th Street in North Battleford's downtown core is getting new owners who say they plan to repair and renovate the building.
An offer to purchase the property on 1132-100th Street was received by the city and negotiated with Riley and Ryan Shepherd and a purchase agreement for the property was approved by council at Monday night's meeting.
According to a Dec. 8 city memo to council from director of business development Denis Lavertu, the new owners plan to renovate the building for two new business tenants.
The building had been owned by the City of North Battleford through tax enforcement, with back taxes of $22,168.78 on the property. The final agreement called for the City to sell the buildings to the Shepherds for $15,000 plus GST and offer a five-year tax exemption on any increase of assessment due to their improvements.
Lavertu's memorandum states that the Shepherds have told the City they plan to invest $40,000 to $50,000 to repair and renovate the building over the next year and anticipate the new tenants will occupy the building in 2011.
The structure is located next to the Moon's Kitchen location on 100th Street. Doctor's offices had previously been located in the building.
The purchase agreement approval was welcome news for councillors hoping for a revitalized downtown core.
Councilor Ron Crush praised the deal, calling it a "great opportunity for the City" in terms of seeing some change in the downtown. He also noted his own office is within view of the building and he sees it out his window every day.
"I'm going to be glad to see the pigeons migrate elsewhere," said Crush.
