Millennium Park rezoned to become regional district parking lot

The City of Prince George has entered into a contract of purchase and sale agreement with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George for the property at 101 George Street, also known as Millennium Park.

Earlier this week Prince George City Council granted the first three readings of a zoning bylaw amendment application for the property, previously zoned P1: Parks and Recreation, to be classified as C1: Downtown to facilitate a parking lot to serve the Regional District office next door. The purchase price for the property is $1 and conditions include: 

• The land is transferred on an “as is, where is” basis with no liability to the City for any environmental contamination and with the regional district assuming all responsibility for remediation of the property.
• Completion of the sale is subject to the rezoning to permit the proposed parking lot use.
• The registration of a covenant in favour of the City restricting the use of the land to a parking lot.
• The option for the City to buy back the land for $1 if the covenant is breached. 

The property has been fenced and closed to the public since September 2023 when an evacuation order from the Prince George Fire Rescue Services Chief was issued to encampment residents due to ongoing safety concerns for the people living there. 

Occupants of the Millennium Park encampment were required to vacate the park, along with any personal property they wished to retain, and were supported by City staff and volunteers to transport their possessions to the City’s designated temporary overnight sheltering area. 

The fourth and final reading of the rezoning bylaw will take place at a future meeting once the covenant is finalized.