Duane Hicks
Lots in the proposed Huffman subdivision now will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis after an attempt to sell them through a lottery draw resulted in none being purchased.
A few people showed up for the draw yesterday evening at the Civic Centre, but no one entered their name in it, Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig said this morning.
“The town has made the decision that starting Monday morning at 8:30 a.m., we are going to be offering the lots on a first-come, first-served basis,” he noted.
“We’ve had a lot of people who have submitted interest in the properties and we think maybe, with the lottery process, they were uncomfortable coming out in a public way like that,” McCaig added.
“So what we’re going to do is whoever wants a certain lot, they come in at 8:30, they put their deposit down, and they can get that lot,” he explained.
The town is looking to sell the 16 lots comprising the residential subdivision, with six fronting Williams Avenue and an additional 10 on a proposed cul-de-sac.
Those interested can drop by the Civic Centre next week and get more information.
They also can e-mail municipal planner Faye Flatt at fflatt@fort-frances.com
In addition to the non-confidential nature of the lottery system, Flatt noted there are a couple of other issues she’s heard people comment on which could explain their reluctance to take the next step forward and buy a lot.
“I think there’s still a feeling that the prices are a little high,” she said.
“Myself, I don’t think they’re high in comparison to what other lands are going for over the last two or three years, but maybe they might be high given the economy,” she conceded.
“The requirement to build within two years I think is also an issue people are wrestling with,” Flatt added.
“In more cases than not, interested people have houses already that they would have to sell, so there’s an element of the unknown there.”
She added people might see it as too risky to be tied into the two-year time frame without knowing for sure if they can sell their house.
Flatt said that, in general, people have commented that the subdivision is needed and it’s good for the town, but they’re hesitant to put their money down.
Council previously indicated it wants at least five lots secured for sale before going ahead with the subdivision project.
Council is expected to discuss its next steps at its next regular meeting May 13.
“We’re going to offer [the lots] on a first-come, first-served basis until then and see what the response is,” said Flatt.
“If we get people in the door and get a few lots sold, great,” she added.
“If we don’t sell any, council may have to revisit the price or the requirement to build clause, any of those provisions,” she noted.
