Heather Latter
More pre-sales of units are needed before building of the proposed La Verendrye Parkway Village condominium gets underway.
“There is tremendous interest,” stressed Kathy Judson, of Re/Max, who is handling the sales of the three-floor condo proposed to be built on a riverfront lot at Front Street and Mosher Avenue (to the east of the current Riverwalk Condominiums).
“I’m sending out multiple information packages every single week on the condo project,” she remarked. “I’ve had 40 inquiries in the last three weeks to a month and of that, I’ve sent out 18 packages.”
But, she noted, a lot of people want to see it built first before they commit.
“But by the time it’s built, [the units] are all gone,” she said, explaining that they need about 15 units pre-sold before they can move forward with the project.
“We’re sitting right at that eight to 10 mark,” Judson voiced. “It seems we get two more reservations, then we maybe lose one, so it’s sitting right in that range.
“The developer is as convinced as I am that the area is ripe for another condo project,” she added.
“It’s not a matter of if it’s going to happen, it’s a matter of when it’s going to actually be started.”
Judson indicated there is a variety of different people interested in the project.
“There are local people who have lived here for many years and want to get into the condo lifestyle because, of course, condominium living is a bit of a lifestyle. And for many, it’s a bit of a lifestyle change,” she voiced. “You don’t have to do the grass cutting and the snow shoveling. You have a lot easier time looking after things.
“So if you want to go down south for the winter, you’ve got that option by just shutting the door and locking it and away you go,” she continued. “Also, as people get a little older, they don’t want the responsibility of yard work, so there’s quite a bit of interest from that segment.”
She’s also finding there is a lot of interest from people who have lived in Fort Frances before and are coming back to the area.
“They’re returning to retire or to live a little bit more comfortable lifestyle then one might be able to do in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto,” she addded, citing calls are coming from all over the country.
While it was previously anticipated building of the condo would begin this summer, Judson noted she and the developer, Robert Zanette of Thunuder Bay, are still positive work could get underway sometime this fall.
About four or five more units need to be pre-sold first.
“We’re holding the prices at the level they were in the spring of this year, but as soon as we get our cut-off mark … and go to final contract with everybody, then the prices will increase as they always do in a project like this,” Judson explained.
The two- and three-bedroom units are currently estimated to cost between $189,000 and $259,000.
Judson noted Zanette is prepared to build throughout the winter months, if the project does get off the ground in the fall. They would just need to ensure that the contractors, Ed Kaun & Sons, are able to proceed at that time.
“The developer is absolutely committed to it and we’re working really hard to get the pre-sales done,” she stressed.
Those wanting more information about the new condo project are encouraged to contact Judson at 275-5633 or via e-mail at kathyjud@aol.com
