The first batch of lots at the Fraser Place development are going up for bids.

The Town of Hay River announced on Jan. 9 that it would be putting 11 lots in the new sub-development near Pine Point Park on the auction block in a sealed bidding process. That means bids won't be made public, but there is a financial threshold that prospective buyers must meet in order to be considered. The lots measure in size from 6.631 sq. ft. to 9,149 sq. ft.

In a release, the town stated that the auction is meant to increase the available housing inventory with the possibility of having single-family, multi-family or accessory dwelling units.

Fraser Place was rezoned in 2021 from institutional and parks to residential with as many as 29 lots envisioned for the area.

At the time, Mayor Kandis Jameson said the area had been looked at for development by councils for more than a decade.

"It is easily developed at a relatively low cost. It uses existing infrastructure," she said during a March 2021 council meeting.

Clearing of the land began in 2022 with the contract given to Blackstone Homes, but the new project didn't come without opposition as multiple residents voiced their displeasure at the perceived loss of green space.

John Stanga Sr. told SA国际影视传媒 in 2022 that he was for the development as it was laid out by council, but he wasn't in favour of what he called "clear-cutting" by the town.

"Not once in any meeting did the town ever talk about clear-cutting it and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what theySA国际影视传媒檝e done. TheySA国际影视传媒檝e done a clear cut of every tree," he said. SA国际影视传媒淚f council put this out to the public, I missed it. It seems they came up with one plan and then did something completely different."

Jameson said that a majority of the trail system would be preserved along with as much of the habitat.

The bidding process is open until Jan. 24 at 12 p.m. and anyone wishing to submit a bid must do so by filling out the sealed bid form which is available at town hall or . The minimum bids range between $78,400 to $110,600.

The town will also be accepting applications through the Residential Development Grant Policy with up to $35,000 available for new multi-family residential unit construction and up to $20,000 for accessory dwelling units. That money is coming courtesy of the federal government's $2 million funding announcement made in April 2024 through the Housing Accelerator Fund.

Any lots that aren't sold after the auction ends will be offered up to the public to buy on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Feb. 17.