The historic but now boarded-up and pigeon-infested properties at the corner of 11th Avenue and 102nd Street have been sold again.
The buildings, one the former Sallows and Boyd building along with an adjoining building and adjacent land, are being sold to Ryan Shepherd by the City for $17,000.
A resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an agreement for sale with Shepherd for the properties at 10103 and 10107 11th Avenue, and 1121 102nd Street, passed unanimously Monday.
The original purchasers were Lloydminster-based Chris Dobson and Larissa Wack with Ironjet Developments, Inc. They had entered into an agreement to buy the buildings from the City in the fall of 2012 with the intent to clean up and redevelop the property.
Previously the properties had fallen into such disrepair that residents dubbed the location the "Pigeon Hotel" for the number of birds that had infested the building. The sale was contingent on the new owners meeting conditions to clean up and maintain the building.
Mayor Ian Hamilton acknowledged Monday that some work was completed on the buildings by the former prospective purchasers.
However, the project ran into various difficulties and delays. An August 2013 deadline to complete work on the buildings was extended, but in the end the developers were unable to complete their obligations.
Director of Economic Development Jennifer Niesink told council the original purchasers opted to walk away from the property. Title never did transfer, according to Hamilton.
That cleared the way for a new purchaser to step in. The latest purchaser, Ryan Shepherd, had previously been involved in the purchase and redevelopment of a similarly rundown heritage building on 100th Street.
That property had also fallen into disrepair and pigeon infestation, though not quite to the same extent as the 11th Avenue property.
Under new ownership, the 100th Street location was successfully renovated and now houses the offices for the Downtown North Battleford Business Improvement District.
Purchase of the 11th Avenue/102nd Street properties is subject to several conditions. According to the memo to city council from Jennifer Niesink, one of the conditions is that title to the property does not transfer until all debris is removed from the interior of the building.
That includes all dead pigeons, pigeon waste, fire damage and interior partitions that must be removed.
In the agreement for sale, Shepherd has agreed to a proposed construction timeline. Phase One would run from March to September 2014 and would involve all of the work referred to above. Title is to be transferred at the completion of phase one construction upon receipt of full payment.
The next phase after that would involve the rebuild of the inside of the buildings.
In his comments attached to Niesink's memo dated March 5, City Manager Jim Puffalt indicated the sales price had been negotiated upwards as per council's request.
Councillors welcomed the interest of a new buyer in the properties.
"It's easy to get a little gun-shy because of what happened with the original purchaser's ability to complete the work," said Councillor Ryan Bater.
"However I have confidence in this particular deal because of the purchaser's track record already downtown and I have seen his work first-hand, and I do have confidence in his ability to do something with that property."
In speaking to reporters, Hamilton indicated he was pleased a local North Battleford buyer came forward and said it was preferable to the alternative of demolition, which "comes at great cost to the city," he said.
"The fact that we're generating some revenues from this transaction and not having to expend money to solve the problem I think is a real win for the City and the citizens of North Battleford."
