By Cheryl Jahn

UNBC gets Council attention

Sep 3, 2025 | 10:01 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A pair of motions were discussed at length, and both were ultimately deferred to Administration for further investigation.

The first was a motion put forward by Councillor Trudy Klassen, specific to the downtown and the amount of vacant and boarded up buildings there are. The motion sought to allow certain uses under a temporary occupancy permit for such things as small retail and cultural spaces.

The argument was that vacancy rates are upwards of 25 per cent, as opposed to five to seven per cent elsewhere In the city.

What was being presented for consideration was for Administration to contact UNBC “to research reasons for vacancies downtown and provide options for interventions and strategies (including allowing container shops on vacant lots similar to the one at Canada Games Plaza) within the municipalities control.”

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“Sometimes to solve a problem, you have to think outside of the box,” noted Mayor Simon Yu, who said he would appreciate a fresh set of eyes on the issue.

However the debate around Council Chambers arose around the Downtown Strategic Study, which involved input from Downtown Prince George , the local Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Prince George. The argument was that the work is already attempting to address some of the challenges surrounding the downtown.

“I’m not going to support the motion,” said Councillor Kyle Sampson. “The work has already been done with the Downtown Strategic Plan.”

Ultimately the motion was sent back to Administration to contact UNBC.

And the same held true for a second motion around a plan for the riverfronts along the Nechako and Fraser Rivers. It suggested the City approach UNBC to look at preparing a comprehensive strategy for enhancing access to the riverfronts to allow for greater public access.

“It’s a great idea,” said Councillor Brian Skakun. “But the consultation would be massive,” pointing out the requirement to involve the federal and provincial governments as well as organizations like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

But one of the co-authors of the Motion, Councillor Klassen noted “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

That motion was also referred back to Administration to approach UNBC to develop a waterfront plan with the City.