Deal In The Works for Brick Building?

By 250 News

 There was little surprise in the news the Brick would be moving to a new location at what used to be Recreation Place.  There had been rumours flying around about such a move for years, including talk  the Brick had planned to  move into the old Safeway building on Massey before Princess Auto  sealed the deal.     

What is news is that no one involved with developing downtown Prince George seems worried about the loss of a major player on Third Avenue.  City Centre Ventures Executive Director Kathy Lachman says "While it is disappointing the Brick is leaving the downtown core, the good news is, they are not leaving the community.  This also presents an opportunity for more investment downtown". 

That brings in the new rumours.  Rumours are whipping through town faster than a windswept flame through a stand of beetle killed trees.  Talk is buzzing that there will soon be a new owner for the Brick building, and  it will be the scene of a major development.  The building offers 60 thousand square feet for potential development. 

There have been some in the know who suggest the space will be divided for use although there are no details and no confirmations available.

CCV's Kathy Lachman won't confirm or deny any of the rumours, but says there has been a great deal of interest recently from developers looking to invest in the downtown.    "We did a soft launch of our marketing plan two months ago" says Lachman "and since that time we have had more than a dozen calls from prospective investors.  Now I know that doesn't sound like much, but a few years ago we were lucky to get one call every six months, so we are making progress".  

Lachman says the recent favourable story by the National Post saying Prince George was on the verge of a boom certainly helped, and it is time to step up efforts and seize the opportunities created by that article.  She says CCV plans an aggressive push of its marketing plan in the fall.

In the meantime, the Brick is preparing to pack its bags, and questions are being asked about what will happen to Liquidation World, which was sub-leasing it's floor space from the Brick.  Opinion250's calls to Liquidation World's corporate offices have not yet been returned. 

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