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Realty sales on upswing
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2015
VOL 118 NO. 12
City asks for input Page A3
CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
Shannon White
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Whether it’s the beautiful weather or an upsurge in the economy, one thing is certain: realty in the Boundary is selling. “We are having more sales this year than we have in previous January through March time periods (first quarters),” said Cindy Anthony, realtor and managing broker at Grand Forks Realty. “I don’t know whether it’s the weather or if it’s just time for more sales to happen.” Anthony said that real estate sales tend to run on a seven-year cycle. “It’s been at least seven years since the downturn,” she said. “We’re kind of anticipating an upswing now. But I think that better weather has definitely helped that. People are out travelling. I think it’s probably a combination of several factors.” Anthony said that real estate prices are staying pretty low due to a two or three-year supply on the market. • See REALTY SALES page A16
Only $243,900 Brian Thate
A day with the circus 1st Grand Forks Sparks and Brownies earned their Arts to Go: Circus Challenge crests on Friday after spending the day on circus-themed art projects. See story on page A16. 1st Grand Forks Sparks photo
City puts MAAP lease extension decision on hold
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Council will seek grant funding for housing study Gazette Staff
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Celebrating silver The Grand Forks Gazette last week presented editor/ production manager Della Mallette with flowers, cake and a custom-made card to celebrate her 25th anniversary at the paper. She came to the Gazette on March 9, 1990 after two years with the Boundary Community News; she is also proud of her current work as production coordinator with the Boundary Creek Times. Craig Lindsay photo
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HouseSOLD Word Barry Poppenheim HOME OFF THE GRID! 1710 sq. ft. rustic 4 BR home on 174.3280 acres. Wood heat. Solar panels/batteries. Drilled well. 15 minutes NW of Grand Forks, 5 minutes to Phoenix Ski Hill. Asking $249,000. MLS® 2399881
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After originally supporting a five-year lease extension for the Multi-Agency Accommodation Project (MAAP), contingent on funding and going to public notice, council has decided to step back and give staff time to take a deeper look at the need for transitional housing. At Monday’s regular city council meeting, council made the decision to seek grant funding to help determine longterm planning for transitional housing in the city. This resolution has an impact on the request from the Multi-Agency Accommodation Project (MAAP), which requested council support a 10-year lease on the current location of the project on Riverside Drive. The MAAP team came to council earlier in the year asking for a lease extension on the land because B.C. Housing had ear-marked $100,000 towards transitional housing for the project, which is contin-
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gent on the lease extension of the current property. After originally supporting the extension, contingent on MAAP receiving grant funding and the issue going to public notice, council made the tough decision to rethink the motion. Council agrees that the partnership with MAAP is an essential one in the community and the services provided are necessary, the city stated in a release. “After much deliberation and time spent reviewing the project, council wanted to get it right and are determined that it is important to look at the current and long-term impacts of transitional housing in Grand Forks,” the release stated. “The city will be seeking grant funding to support the development of a professional planning report, which will provide guidance on the immediate and long-term transitional housing needs of the community. The city will reach out to different agencies in the community for their input.”
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