Inuit-owned land along Iqaluit's Federal Road opens to development
The land could create 'continued construction possibilities' for the next 10 years says developer
A large area of land in Nunavut's capital could soon have residential housing units, office buildings and even a conference centre.
Iqaluit's outgoing city council amended its General Plan bylaw last week, allowing for the development of Inuit-owned land along Federal Road.
"It's conceivable that that parcel of land would allow for continued construction possibilities for the next 10 to 12 years," says Sheldon Nimchuk, project manager of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, an Inuit-owned development corporation.
He says now that the city has given the green light, construction plans can get underway.
"We are working on our own hotel and conference centre and we are working ourselves into a position to be on schedule to commence construction next sealift season."
Nimchuk says he's aware, however, that approval from city council is just a first step.
Mélodie Simard, Iqaluit's director of planning and development, says the land use plan for Federal Road includes an area where the Qikiqtani Inuit Association would like to develop a conference centre.
That's just the beginning of the plans.
A 35-page development outline includes more than 150 residential units, mixed commercial buildings and new emergency services centre.