Whitehorse may sell 7th Avenue property to apartment block
'The thing that caught me off guard was the price' says councillor John Streicker
A city councillor is questioning a proposed land sale in downtown Whitehorse.
The 178 square-metre property, located at the end of Main Street and 7th Avenue, is currently being used as a parking lot by residents of the adjacent apartment block.
As the city considers selling it to the apartment owner, councillor John Streicker wonders why the property has been valued at just $16,500.
"The thing that caught me off guard was the price. How did we arrive at $16,000 for roughly one-third of a lot."
Pat Ross, planning manager for the city, told council the property was priced by the only independent appraiser in Whitehorse.
He says the price is fair market value because the property is too small to be developed.
The city could also decide to lease the land to the apartment owner or require the owner to remove the improvements, including asphalt paving and power plugs.