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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The GNWT is expanding and taking over two city lots on 49 Street next to Le Frolic restaurant to accommodate its staffing needs.

Clark Builders won the $25 million contract for the 6,000-square-metre building in April.

Dowland Contracting Ltd., and Det'on Cho Nahanni Construction also bid on the contract.

The construction depended on the demolition of the Native Women's Association building, which was discovered a few weeks ago to have asbestos in the walls.

The association has found a new home at 4902-50 Ave.

Crews, under the supervision of the Worker's Safety and Compensation Commission, have removed the asbestos and the building has since been demolished.

Frustrations have emerged from condo owners in the adjacent Northern Heights complex over the perceived lack of accessibility and transparency in the department.

Ron Ostrom, owner and tenant of his condo on the seventh floor of the building, has tried to obtain the plans for the new building, and is at a loss about the lack of response.

"I'm very disappointed with the length of time, and in all honesty I'm very disappointed that they aren't making more of an effort to involve the residents that are there," Ostrom said.

According to Ostrom, the GNWT posted a notice in Yellowknifer and once in News/North advising owners of a meeting that would discuss their concerns, but Ostrom wasn't aware of the meeting. He wasn't the only one; Ostrom said that others, including a condo board member, weren't aware of the meeting either.

While Ostrom isn't opposed to the building, he is concerned about its look and height, and how that will affect resale values.

"If they at least do some setbacks, like they did with the Greenstone building, and made it very attractive, then at least if you lost your view then it's going to be something nice to look at."

Ostrom called the department on July 17 and was told the plans would be made public on the GNWT's website. Just shy of a month later, he still has yet to receive a response.

"When I talked (to them) she said that it would be up in two days, and it's been a month now," Ostrom said.

In an area where off-street parking is in high demand, another concern is the impact the new building will have on competition for those spaces.

"That is the mystery question. I think that's why (city officials) are looking at the parking survey, we already have a parking problem," said Tim Doyle, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.

While the chamber is in favour of adding new flare to the downtown core, its focus is the business community, and Doyle said he hopes that the new design of the building will include a first-floor retail option.

"It's always great to see new development, to refresh and renovate the street. It attracts people's attention," he said. "We're for that, but it's nice to have the retail spots."

The city is working on a bylaw that would force commercial buildings off Franklin Avenue to use their first floor space for retail options.

The city has a parking requirement for large commercial developments and requires that a number of parking stalls are made available per square foot of office space.

"That would be part of the requirement, if you look at any of the buildings being built ... the new Gallery Building has three parking lots," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem.. "(It has) worked out really well."

As a comparison, the Greenstone Building on Franklin Avenue covers 8,165 square metres.

The new staff building is set to accommodate approximately 280 workers, on seven stories and is slated to be complete by 2015.

These aren't new positions however. GNWT staff will be relocating to the new building from other office spaces, but the GNWT wouldn't release where they would be moving from.

Vivian Manasc, principal architect with Manasc Isaac Architects based out of Edmonton, and Adam Vikse, with Park Sanders Adam Viske Architects Limited based out of Yellowknife, are the project architects. They have found inspiration from Great Slave Lake in the design process.

"The (architects are) trying to represent Great Slave Lake with the waves and you'll see the landscaping in front of the building has a wavy pattern to it, there will be benches, trees - it's just a lovely site," said Brian Nagel, director of infrastructure and accommodation services with the Department of Public Works and Services.

The issue of parking is being discussed between the city and the designers.

"We have a (parking) concept that we are trying to relay to them. We have an agreement in principle. I can't tell you what that is because it's not public yet," Nagel said. "But the city is very happy that were working with them to be part of the solution rather than add to their problem."

The plans are expected to be made public in two weeks.

Designers and architects have presented the plan to the City of Yellowknife's Smart Growth Committee, according to Nagel, and the plans have been received favourably.

"We've have public consultation meetings ... and we met with the smart growth committee last week, and the city several times and they are on side," Nagel said.

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