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WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition is asking the Liberal government for an update on the old Macauley Lodge site in Riverdale. The land on Klondike Road has sat empty since the former seniors lodge was demolished in 2022.
The Yukon government indicated the land was to be sold and turned over to the private sector for development. An expression of interest was released by the government in 2022, but to our knowledge, no results were released.
As the landowner the government applied for and received a zoning amendment from the City of Whitehorse in the spring of 2023. The amendment allows for commercial development on the first floor, accompanied by residential housing on subsequent floors.
“Everyone knows that more residential development is needed in Whitehorse,” said Yukon Party Housing Critic Yvonne Clarke. “We have a piece of vacant land in Riverdale that is ready to build on and would be ideal for residential housing development as it is close to transit and the downtown core. There has been no update from the Liberals since the city’s amendment was passed, and Yukoners want to know what is happening.”
This adds to the growing list of land and development that is tied up in red tape. Since the 2021 election, the Liberals have had delays getting residential lots to market in Whistle Bend, and the 5th and Rogers site in downtown Whitehorse continues to sit empty. 5th and Rogers even had a Request for Proposals to develop the property close in June, and to date, there have been no plans announced.
“Yukoners and the building community need to know what is happening with this land,” added Clarke. “Time is of the essence as our population continues to grow, and more people are looking to find a home.”
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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Media Director
(867) 689-7874
