Inuvik, N.W.T., buys derelict lots to clear them for new construction

The town of Inuvik, N.W.T., is cleaning up some derelict lots by purchasing them and developing them for sale.

Right now, the town has no residential lots for sale. Mayor Peter Clarkson said all developed lots were bought by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council last year.

Clarkson said the project to get more lots ready for sale is overdue.

"This is to help get the town cleaned up a bit from these abandoned lots that have collected in town over several years, and also clean them up and put them back out for sale," Clarkson said.

"So if someone wants to buy a residential lot, we have at least a couple of lots for sale."

A purchase approved by town council this week means two additional lots are now slated for development. There are currently abandoned homes on the properties so the town will need to demolish them first. It's not clear how long that might take.

The homes have been derelict for more than a decade.

Clarkson said the move will help improve the neighbourhoods and promote land sales.

"The town couldn't do anything because the lots were owned by somebody who just wasn't doing anything about those lots," he said.

"So yeah, we feel pretty good about the land sales we had and hopefully it cleans up the town a bit — but also gets some of these properties back on the tax roll," said Clarkson.

Clarkson explained that the town considered new subdivisions but could not afford it without federal funding and would be years away from completion.