Neils Christensen
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Apr 12/04) - The City of Iqaluit is on a very tight schedule to try and create more housing.

At the end of March, council approved a plan to have several new housing starts in Area A by 2005.

Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik said housing is a critical problem in Iqaluit that needs to be resolved, which is why council is fast tracking the planning.

Area A is located north of the city near the power station, behind Nunavut Arctic College. By developing a new subdivision, the city hopes to create at least 80 to 100 lots in the first stage.

Director of planning and engineering Brad Sokach said it normally takes at least two years to plan a subdivision. In this case, the city wants to do it in a year and a half. For that reason, council has awarded a sole source contract to Steve Burden, a consultant on contract with the city. Although sole source contracting is a touchy issue, Sokach said it is necessary if they want to meet their deadlines.

"If we went out to tender, that would put us six to eight weeks behind. We just don't have the time," he said. "I don't like sole source contracting, but we don't have any other options."

Sheutiapik agreed there isn't time to put out tenders for the development.

"We could be postponed for another year if we don't start moving and that is unacceptable," she said.

Sokach said a benefit of the contract is that the project team will be working on the plans and every member of the team has experience working in Iqaluit.

Burden explained that the city's development plans include creating a Sustainable Subdivision Feasibility Study so they end up with a more energy efficient subdivision, one that will help preserve Nunavut's delicate environment.

The study will also look at social, environmental and economic issues for the proposed development. The project will be the first of its kind in the North.

The city is planning to have three consultation periods with Iqaluit residents during the development process. The first one will take place this spring.

"This is where we will learn what people think of this project," Burden said.

The cost of the project is estimated at $175,000. The city has budgeted $50,000. The rest will come from grants from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, $25,000 worth, and the Canadian Federation of Municipalities, who will contribute $103,000.