Highlights from City Council’s June 14 meeting

The letter states there are worries that converting surgical spaces to office space would be a loss for the community

There is also worry that if Alberta Health Services moves all of its current office space to the QE II after the new hospital is finished, there would be a drop in office lease rates. The letter asks that if that is the plan, what it refers to as “a prolonged approach” be taken.

Council approves Development Incentives and Grants Program

Council has approved a Development Incentives and Grants program.

Two of the five provisions involved tax rebates. Any new business development valued at over $25 million could get a 100 per cent rebate on its property taxes in the first year, with that amount decreasing 10 per cent per year for the next nine years.

There would also be a similar four-year incentive for projects worth at least $1 million that improve the assessed value of a business by 25 per cent. That would also bring a 100 per cent rebate the first year, with the rebate decreasing by 25 per cent for another three years.

There is also a 50 per cent matching grant up to $25,000, with a minimum $10,00 cost, for demolition for business.

There would also be a $15,000 grant for infill residential construction worth at least $200,000. This would be limited to two per builder. The infill area is everything inside the area bordered by 92 and 108 Streets and 84 and 116 Avenues.

There are also 100 per cent rebates available for some permit fees for new residential construction. The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, in a letter to the city, calls this an “immediate stimulus to the local economy” as it will keep construction and tradespeople working without spending any new money.

by Curtis Galbraith