Heather Latter
It’s unlikely the proposed La Verendrye Parkway Village condominium will get underway before the snow flies as more pre-sales of units still are needed before construction can begin.
“It’s one of those situations where we take two steps forward and one step back,” said 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).
“We get one or two more sales and then someone changes their mind,” she explained, citing they currently have about 10 units pre-sold and they need about 14 or 15 in order to move ahead with construction.
“But we’re certainly not giving up on it,” Judson stressed, noting people want the condos but it’s very difficult for them to buy from a blueprint.
“Not being able to see it, feel it, walk into it—it’s hard to visualize,” she reasoned. “It makes it a little more of a challenge.”
Judson said it takes patience and determination to make a project such as this go in a town this size.
“It’s so much easier in the cities because you have a bigger population base to pull from and they are used to buying from blueprints,” she noted.
But she added the good-sized units, with the three-bedroom units offering 1,428 square feet, is more than people would find in the city for the same price.
“Two bathrooms, a nice big living rooms, dining room, kitchen area versus something half the size in the city,” she explained.
“You just don’t get any space. So it’s really nice in that sense.”
Judson said the smallest unit available is 929 square feet, which still is a good size.
“But there is still a lot of interest here,” she added, noting she continues to get inquiries about the condo project weekly.
“I hope people hang in there because it’s going to be a wonderful place to live for folks and a big boost to Fort Frances.”
Meanwhile, Judson is seeing some movement in the Echo Lake Estates subdivision in the west end of Emo, with one couple ready to start construction next month.
The 70 lots, located just a few minutes off Highway 11on Off Lake Road, are ready with access to water, sewer, gas, hydro, and Bell services.
Judson also has interest from a builder who would like to build eight-10 units in the area, geared towards empty-nesters.
“If not this fall, I think he will start them in the spring,” she noted. “They’ll be smaller, but well-finished. And I think they will go really well.
“We’re just in the planning stages with those, but I think that will be a real boost, too.”
Judson indicated there is a lot of interest, with many looking at perhaps purchasing a lot in the spring to begin building.
She added the properties in the subdivision are very affordable, with prices starting out at $19,900.
“They are great building lots, a good size,” Judson remarked, noting the average size is about 60’x150’.
She stressed they are looking forward to having a good year on this project. “I think it will be a very affordable but quality-built subdivision,” she remarked.
Those wanting more information about either project are encouraged to contact Judson at 275-5633 or via e-mail at kathyjud@aol.com
She also can be reached at her office in Emo at 482-3505.
