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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A temporary solution has been reached between an Old Town nut vendor and the city after a concrete barricade was erected last month blocking public access to the Government Dock and the business.

Tony Procure, co-owner of TJ's Nut Hut, said he has had to rely on catering to make ends meet since the city erected the barriers around his shop to limit access to the Government Dock while cleanup work is conducted.

"This month, I've had to go into my savings to pay the rent on the building," said Procure, who would not reveal how much of a financial loss the disruption to his business has caused. "(The city's senior administrator) Bob Long came to me with the idea of (a kiosk) and it takes me back to my roots," said Procure, who has a background as a grocer and street vendor.

Procure couldn't say whether the change in his business plan will help him recoup his losses.

"Ask me that again in a couple of months," said Procure, who said he plans to sell hot beverages and sweet and savoury baked goods from the kiosk.

"TJ's is a tenant and the city has been dealing with the owner (of the building). As a tenant, he should have been dealing with the owner but chose to complain publicly and with the city. After discussions with (TJ's), we decided to lower the impact on his business," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

Procure wouldn't say how much he is paying for the kiosk but Van Tighem said the kiosk was given to Procure for free.

"Someone found the shed and we gave it to him," said Van Tighem, noting he didn't know where the shed came from, speculating it might have been picked up from the dump or a city employee had built it a long time ago. He said the shed is refurbished and fully functional and could be used again for other purposes should the need arise.

"He was very happy to accept it," said Van Tighem, adding the city had helped other businesses in the past that were affected by city works but couldn't name any at the time.

Presently, the DFO is concluding a tender with a contractor for work on Government Dock, according to Warren Ford, senior divestiture officer for Fisheries and Oceans Canada Real Property Management branch.

Ford said the environmental assessment and cleanup of the area will be completed by the end of October.

The DFO's contractor will work to the waterline to remove and replace soil that has been contaminated with copper and petroleum hydrocarbons from maintenance work and fuel spillages. Until the remediation is complete the lease cannot be finalized.

"The lease agreement (between the DFO and the city) we're looking at a long term lease," said Ford.

According to Van Tighem, the city and the DFO have been discussing the lease for several years with it finally coming to fruition this year. Van Tighem said the financial cost of the lease will be inexpensive.

"It'll be a nominal fee of a dollar," the mayor said.

The area will still be a working dock but Van Tighem said he envisions it containing a picnic table, bike and canoe racks, and parking.

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