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The revitalization seeds were sown in the fall of 2008 and the crop may have died on the vine in late November of 2012 with  the filing of a foreclosure action  against Commonwealth Campus.

 

250 NEWS is posing a number of questions which need to be answered, if for nothing else, to clear the air for all involved.

 

Here is a list of questions :

 

1       What checks and balances did the Federal Community Adjustment Fund have in place to ensure that the promises made by Commonwealth Health in securing a $1 million dollar interest free loan were adhered to? Specifically, were the promised jobs to be created achieved? How much retail was supported, and what new businesses were created in the renovated Commonwealth Health building?

 

2      Why was the Commonwealth group of companies chosen to receive $76,923 dollars towards the “New Downtown overall Project management”? Did the City of Prince George and the Province have any involvement in the selection of this group and what was  Commonwealth’s experience in this type of development? 

 

 

3.     Why did Kevin Falcon, Minister of Health at the time, attend a meeting with Dan McLaren; Minister of Small Business, Bill Bennet; and City of Prince George Councillor Shari Green? Tax breaks of up to 40 years were discussed, what else?

 

4.      On December 6th-2010 Kevin Falcon, speaking about the location of the Wood Innovation centre said, “if my memory serves me correct, Minister Bond’s ministry is the one that is going to be overseeing the decision as to which location that centre should go”. At the time, Gordon Campbell said he would like to see it built downtown, “it doesn’t matter where I would like it, it matters were the people of Prince George would like it ”.  Who made the decision on the site for the Wood Innovation centre? What involvement did the provincial government have in that  selection?

 

5.      Did NDI Trust act as a financier for a private development in assembling land in the 400 block of George St.?  Is that part of the mandate of the NDI Trust?

 

6.   In developing the terms for the loan to Commonwealth Campuses, did NDI Trust include a provision that money would not be advanced until there was Treasury Board approval for the proposed Wood Innovation Design Centre?   If not, why not, and if so, were dollars advanced before that approval was given?

 

7.      On October 22^nd-2009 CEO Janine North wrote to Mayor Dan Rogers and council saying the purchase price for the PG Hotel and parking lot would be $2.5 million dollars. She went on to say the deadline for the current offer is October 28. “In my opinion the offer cannot be extended. If a positive decision is not provided to me on the morning of October 27^th, this offer will collapse and I will advise the provincial ministers, deputy ministers and the president of UNBC Forthwith.”  Why was the NDI Trust Acting on behalf of a Private Company? 

 

8.      On October 26^th  , 2009 , the City of Prince George agreed to an option that would see the PG Hotel property transferred from the NDI Trust to the City for $2.5 million dollars. The transaction had a gross profit to Commonwealth of $750,000.00 (sale of land and buildings $2 million, sale of beer and wine license $250,000). Who made the decision to enter into this deal?  Who set the price? What, if any, benefits did NDI Trust receive for its role in this sale?

 

9.   Who made the offer to the president of UNBC George Iwama for the university to purchase the 400 block of George St for $12.2 million dollars? Under whose direction was the offer put together and transmitted?

 

10.  Dealing with Commonwealth Health, who in the city or the province entered into an agreement to purchase the air above a section of the City of Prince George parking lot owned by Commonwealth for $900,000 dollars?

 

11.  Why did the NDI Trust, within nine months of granting a loan of up to $8.8 million dollars to Commonwealth Campus, suddenly cut off further loans to Commonwealth Campus. Who made this decision and why?

 

12.  Who in the DBIA made the decision and why, to produce new drawings of the proposed private re-development of the 400 block of George St?

 

13. Why did the City of Prince George not require the DBIA to re submit a budget upon discovering that $9,450.00 dollars had been spent by the society without City Approval?

 

14.  How did the 400 block of George St become designated the future location of the Wood Innovation Centre in  early 2009 even though funding was not approved by the province until April 2011? Who was making the commitment to that location?

 

15.   Do any blind trusts exist in any of the Commonwealth group of companies?

 

16.  What part did former Minister Kevin Falcon, Pat Bell and Shirley Bond play in the Downtown redevelopment, financing and construction of the Elizabeth Fry Seniors housing?

 

Monday: Where are they now?

**Editor’s note, because of the sensitive nature of this series, there will be no comments allowed