Tucker Krause focuses on growth, housing and long-term planning in council bid

While attracting and retaining younger residents is a key motivation behind his campaign, Krause stressed that his platform is intended to benefit residents across the community.

“I do believe I can bring a broader, fresh perspective to city council,” he said, adding that he wants to listen to residents from all parts of the city before making decisions on important issues.

Krause’s campaign is built around five main pillars:

Lots to Living
Clean the Core
No Blank Checks
Hear It Through
Room to Grow

Among those priorities, housing development and downtown revitalization form a major part of his platform.

Under his “Lots to Living” initiative, Krause is proposing measures aimed at encouraging development on vacant or underused properties in the downtown core.

He argues that increasing residential density downtown can help strengthen Prince George’s tax base while making more efficient use of existing infrastructure.

“Empty lots don’t necessarily bring in a lot of tax revenue,” Krause said. “Higher-density housing brings in more property tax relative to the amount that the city has to spend on infrastructure such as roads and pipes.”

A key proposal under the plan would see the city revive a former downtown tax exemption revitalization bylaw. The program previously offered municipal tax incentives for developers building new projects in the downtown area.

According to Krause, developers would pay taxes based on the property’s original assessed value for a set period, rather than immediately paying taxes on the increased value created by new construction. While he acknowledges the measure would not create an immediate boost to municipal revenues, he believes it would pay dividends over the long term.

“The idea is that 10, 20, 30 years from now, you start having significant increases in the tax base,” he said.

Krause noted that approximately 23 downtown projects were developed while the program was previously in place, which he says demonstrates its effectiveness in attracting investment.

The candidate also pointed to broader financial pressures facing the city, including the pending closure of Northwood’s pulp operations and the expected impact on municipal tax revenues. Krause described the loss of industrial tax revenue as significant and said council must focus on long-term solutions to address those challenges.

Part of that strategy includes encouraging appropriate residential growth while supporting industrial development opportunities. He emphasized that his support for increased density is focused on existing commercial and educational areas rather than established single-family neighbourhoods.

Krause also highlighted development opportunities around Boundary Road as an important area for future economic growth. He believes council should continue promoting industrial lands and reducing barriers that could discourage investment.

“I believe one of the things council can do is continue to advocate and market this open area for development,” he said.

Krause argues that attracting new businesses not only strengthens the city’s tax base but also creates employment opportunities for both younger residents and workers affected by challenges in the forestry sector. Whether those opportunities help retain local graduates or provide alternative careers for displaced workers, he sees economic diversification as a critical part of Prince George’s future.

If elected, Krause says he intends to bring a long-term perspective to council discussions, focusing on growth strategies that can benefit Prince George for decades to come.

Prince George voters will cast their ballots in the municipal election on Saturday, October 17.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Tucker Krause focuses on growth, housing and long-term planning in council bid

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