Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 07/02) - The federal government is on the verge of awarding a contract that will make way for the demolition of the old Canadian Tire building and Franklin Avenue.

The demolition is the first phase of the construction of a new federal services building, with construction expected to begin next spring.

Once complete the four to five storey building --exact plans have not been finalized -- will house approximately 200 public servants.

"Our vision for it is to be an access point for services provided by the federal government to the people of Yellowknife," said Tom Corrigan, a spokesman for Public Works and Government Services Canada.

The federal building, budgeted at $20 million, is expected to provide construction jobs to local workers and provide ongoing legacy of improved access to government services.

As the building is still in the planning phase the exact government services that will be provided in the facility have not been determined.

As well there maybe an opportunity for the public to provide input on the new building if a forum is scheduled to comment on the design phase of the facility.

Whether such a forum will be held has not been confirmed Corrigan only commented that the possibility exists.

"A number of different stakeholders are being consulted," said Corrigan.