Iqaluit (Sep 15/03) - The City of Iqaluit and Nunavut Construction Corporation have come to an agreement on a new apartment development.

Council has issued the corporation a temporary development permit to complete some site work that needs to be completed this year in order for construction to commence next year.

None of the neighbours around the lot expressed any problems with the development going ahead. The Iqaluit Housing Authority has its shop in front of the property. Officials say they are looking forward to the completion of the apartments.

"We want this to move forward," said Susan Spring, manager of the authority. "This will help out the entire community."

The decision to grant the temporary permit was made after the city issued a stop work order because the development agreement between the company and the city hadn't been finalized. The company isn't off the hook yet. The city is fining them for ignoring the stop work order.

Sheldon Nimchuk, acting general manager for the corporation, was at the council meeting Sept. 9 to find a solution to the problem. He said the reason they disobeyed the order was because they have to complete the preparation work before the cold weather arrives.

He added they will accept and will pay the fines from the city.

"We're under some very big deadlines," he said. "We didn't intend to pull the wool over council's eyes or any disrespect," said Nimchuk.

Councillor Keith Irving said the development is needed in this community and council shouldn't stop it.

"We should keep this going," added Coun. Glenn Williams. "We should rap their knuckles, though, and rap them hard."