Crews begin to take down what's left of the buildings at the corner of High and 1st NW back in April

Moose Jaw City Council has given city administration the thumbs up to enter into negotiations for one piece of land on High Street and to start exploring the option of purchasing another property right next door.

Back in the spring, two buildings at High Street and 1st Avenue N.W. were involved in a fire. One was completely destroyed while the other was severely damaged.  The damaged building has been offered as a gift to the city of Moose Jaw by the Marciszyn family on the condition that it be turned into greenspace.  If the city accepted the offer, it would cost taxpayers about $170,000 to demolish the fire damaged building and another $165,000 to develop the greenspace.  Council has passed a motion to at least start negotiations with the family.

Council has also passed a motion to explore the idea of purchasing the lot where a building was completely destroyed by fire, just to the south of 105 High Street West. Those in favour, stress that this doesn't mean they are going to buy the land, it's just to see what it would be worth and if the city could find a use for it.