The stalled development at the south end of 99 Ave. in Westlock, which has been a source of frustration for many years, is expected to start up again this summer.
In Westlock CAO Darrell Garceau’s administrator report, presented to council at its March 12 meeting, he indicated the municipality is in discussions with a new ownership group and that construction could begin this year.
Council did not discuss the issue at the meeting, but Garceau told the Westlock News that while the town was not involved with the transfer from Skyrider Developments, the previous owner, he expects that once the new ownership group takes control of the development, they will sign a new development agreement.
“Given today’s circumstances, we’re going to await that group to move forward and basically come to us for a new development agreement, which we will draft, then we’ll have a contractual relationship with the new developer,” he said.
He added that any new agreement would include requirements for start and completion dates, as well as security and other site-related issues.
“Every indication is given to me that they will commence development this year,” Garceau said.
One of the new owners will be Brian Meaney of Sierra Site Works, a company that was involved as a subcontractor with Skyrider during the early construction phases. He did some water and sewer work, as well as some earth moving, but was never paid.
He said has taken control of the 20-unit condominium portion of the development through a foreclosure action against Skyrider.
“I’ve got quite a chunk of money tied up in that property as a result of Skyrider’s inaction,” he said.
Meaney said another subcontractor who worked on the project is expect to take control of the 36-unit single-family component of the development, but wouldn’t comment further as that process is still before the courts.
“We don’t have control of the 36 single-family lots from Skyrider yet,” he said. “But certainly within the next week.”
He added that he is looking forward to getting to town to get started on the work, and has taken several steps toward that end.
“I’ve met with the engineers and everything’s good that way. We’re working to enter into a development agreement with the town. We’ve met with AltaGas and we’re going to be signing an agreement with them very soon to provide gas to that part of town. Materials are ordered,” he said. “As soon as (the other developer) gets control of his end of it, we’re very much ready to go.”
