City council intends to spend $75,000 to purchase property to utilize as a nature preserve.
At its regular meeting on Tuesday, council gave three readings to an expenditure bylaw that will enable the city to purchase three lots along Charters Street, one of which is beneath the Nicola River.
The land is home to a variety of wildlife and the city’s intention is to develop it as little as possible.
“It’s a very rare site to have downtown,” Coun. Ginny Prowal said at council’s regular meeting last Tuesday.
The lots of 2801 and 2802 Charters St. comprise a three-acre island in the Nicola River, that was created back in the 1940s when the Nicola River was rerouted to reduce flooding in town, putting the third lot council intends to purchase — 2807 Charters Street — under water.
The two lots that make up the island have no legal access to them except through private property and are effectively land locked, a report to council stated.
Ultimately, a pedestrian bridge would need to be constructed to allow public access to this ‘park’ from Charters Street, and the city could look for grant opportunities or other fundraising options to finance the bridge, the report stated.
Merritt Mayor Neil Menard said he’s heard good things from other communities about developing this type of park in their towns.
“There isn’t one that I ever talked to that doesn’t want more of this type of thing,” Menard said.
The first three readings of the bylaw passed 6-0 with Coun. Mike Goetz excusing himself on a perceived conflict of interest.
If the city doesn’t buy the lots now, they are expected to go to public auction in October.
The city plans to spend $75,000 plus legal costs and disbursements and is taking the funds out of an account that currently has $86,000 in it, so there should be sufficient funds to complete the purchase if the bylaw is adopted.
