Funding application to strengthen the community
Council approved a $2.5 million application to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)-administered Strengthening Communities’ Services Program to manage the impacts of the COVID pandemic. If successful, the funding would help to improve the health and safety of local homeless people, reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, address community concerns about public health, and improve coordination among agencies and organizations.
The City’s application would support the recently created Community Safety Hub and also enhance services in the downtown related to additional police patrols/services, security, cleanliness, and temporary storage.
The Community Safety Hub – located at 2nd and George – serves as a connection point for many of the agencies and organizations involved with delivering services that address some of community’s most complex issues.
Building Permit update
The City of Prince George continues to see construction activity on par or even higher than the past two years – and 2019 was a record year. A report presented to Council indicates that a total of 35 permits worth a combined $14.6 million were issued in the month of March, 2021 – a greater value than in either of the previous two years. The City issued permits for 10 new single-family homes with a combined value of nearly $5.6 million, and $2 million in permits for eight renovation projects for commercial and multi-family buildings.
During the first quarter of 2020, the City issued a total of 93 building permits worth a combined $32.47 million.
Recent city land sales top $5 million
During the second half of 2020 and to date in 2021, the City of Prince George has received just over $5.3 million from the sale of four City properties. The largest amount - $2.1 million – was received for the underground parkade on 6th Avenue across from the Telus building.
Last week, excavation began behind Mr. PG in preparation for the construction of two new apartment buildings that will together provide 137 housing units. The site, at 2620 RecPlace Drive, was sold by the City for just over $2 million earlier this year.
Transit plan and new express routes
A report outlining the Transit Future Action Plan (TFAP) was presented to Council, outlining the short-term priorities for the development and expansion of the Prince George Transit System.
The plan recommends several service enhancements:
- A Downtown – Spruceland – Pine Centre express
- A UNBC – Downtown express along 15th Avenue
- Increasing evening and weekend service
- Over the long-term, creating service to the airport and BCR site.
The presentation from BC Transit is available here.
Extensive consultation was conducted on the TFAP to collect feedback, both on specific proposals outlined and on the direction of the plan generally. This consultation was wrapping up as COVID began last year.
Council approved the Action Plan.
Off-leash dog park strategy
City Council was provided with an update on the City’s strategy for off-leash dog parks, which included an overview both of existing and proposed dog parks.
In the spring of 2017, Park staff transformed the underutilized Glenview baseball field into the City’s second dog park at Corporal Darren Fitzpatrick Bravery Park. Other off-leash areas in Prince George are also located at Ginter’s Meadow, Moore’s Meadow, and in Duchess Park.
Proposed capital works in 2021 call for additional off-leash areas in College Heights and the Millar Addition neighbourhoods.
All of the reports associated with the April 12, 2021 Council meeting are available on the City website.