One of the first items the next mayor and city council should deal with this fall is filling the vacant 50/50 lot downtown.
Why should this be a priority, one might ask?
Well, this council and its predecessor have been unable to make a decision on what to do at the site of the former bank, which has stood vacant for years. And to turn around downtown, and to inject vibrancy into the entire city, it's time to act.
One of the city's key pieces of real estate was purchased by the municipality a few years ago – along with three nearby lots on 50 Street, between The Raven Pub and Gold Range Hotel/Bistro – for use in some future vision that has never come into focus.
The 50/50 lot sits at a site that could be a beacon for our downtown. While Somba K'e Park by city hall on Frame Lake is clearly the best site for cultural gatherings, the Farmer's Market and parades, the corner of Franklin Avenue (50 Avenue) and 50 Street sits ready to be a hub for the mercantile and tourism sectors.
But right now, it is a paid parking lot. And not a very busy one, at that. Late in the day, it turns into a dark, uninviting expanse.
Every city must make tough decisions on major signature projects. It's not easy. But that's why we elect leaders to take the reins on a major file, consult with experts and the public, and make a decision.
We do not have such an effective group at city hall at this time.
And after spending well over $200,000 on studies by outside experts, it's time to settle this issue.
Last week at city hall, our council once again pondered the words put forth from a consultant. The conclusion? There is no easy solution for what to do with the downtown 50/50 lot.
That was the message from consulting company Theia Partners when it presented findings of a study on how to revitalize the city's downtown core.
This is a major departure from recommendations made by consultant Taylor Architecture Group, which delivered a 65-page report in 2015 – $175,000 in the making – detailing the plan to turn the 50/50 lot into an outdoor plaza with stadium seating, a fire pit, public washrooms and new entrances granting access to the mall.
And outdoor plaza in a subarctic city? Thankfully, council rejected that plan.
Moving forward, Yellowknifer will renew its call made in February 2016 for the 50/50 lot to be the home of a major cultural centre, working in concert with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
It could also house the visitors welcome and tourism education office, which is now temporarily found in the basement of city hall since being evicted from the dilapidated Northern Frontier Visitors Centre on a Frame Lake marsh.
It would require a lot of money from all levels of government, as it would need to be a statement building – a modern-day landmark that would be a unique feature on the skyline of downtown.
Combine that with an idea first put forth last month in Yellowknifer to install any future university of the North into the largely vacant and extremely ignored Centre Square Mall, and you would have a completely revitalized downtown. Or at least be well on the way to that goal.
Maybe even move the public library into the new building, since a university would have its own purpose-built facility.
But it's going to take strong leaders who are willing to make a decision.
Stop with the spending on consultants for ideas on what to do on that corner.
The answer was for all to see in that 2015 Taylor Architecture Group report, that stated very extensive public consultations were held: The most popular idea was an arts/cultural centre; included in the most unpopular list was new parking.
What city residents want is clear. What the people have now is on the list of worst ideas.
When campaigning starts in earnest for mayor and council for the October election, make it clear to candidates it's time to act on the 50/50 lot. Tourism is a major industry for this city. And it's poised to grow.
But we need to offer these folks more to see and do.
A serious investment at that empty lot will be returned many times over if council can finally make a sound decision.