The City of New Westminster has put the longtime home of the health unit up for sale.
The city is inviting proposals for the purchase and development of the land and building at 57 Sixth St. The Gyro Building is located at the corner of Sixth and Carnarvon streets.
Mayor Wayne Wright said the city is following its normal procedures for dealing with land deemed to be surplus to the city's needs.
According to a request for proposals, the city encourages proposals that include the joint development of the adjacent property at 515, 527 and 529 Carnarvon St. A real estate website indicated the neighbouring property is listed at $3.5 million.
The city is inviting proposals for the land in order to facilitate development in accordance with the downtown community plan.
"The site is occupied by the Gyro Building, built in 1944," said the request for proposals. "The Gyro Building is not considered to be a good candidate for revitalization, and it is expected that proposal will be based on the redevelopment of the site. The successful proponent will be responsible for development of the site including demolition of the existing building that is not identified as heritage."
Barry Waitt, a senior planner with the city, said the site's land-use designation is for mixed-use, highdensity development. He said the site is considered surplus to the city's needs.
Terry Atherton, the city's manager of civic buildings and properties, said city council directed staff to sell the property. If the city receives any bids for the site, he told The Record that staff would evaluate the proposals and report back to council.
Resident Christopher Bell believes the city should consult with residents before selling city-owned property.
"I think we should hold onto it until they go to the community and ask the community if this is surplus to the city's needs," he said. "Surplus to the city's needs by whose opinion? Not one taxpayer has been asked for their opinion whether it is surplus."
In an email to Bell, Atherton stated that if a parcel of land is considered surplus, this information is forwarded to all city departments for review as to their needs.
"If there are no needs identified then, staff prepares a report to council with their recommendations," he wrote. "Council then decides if the parcel is to be sold. All disposal of land is in strict compliance with the Community Charter and Local Government Act."
tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
