Prince Albert mall rooftop could hold 500 modular homes

The owner of Prince Albert’s Gateway Mall says construction of 500 modular homes next year on the mall’s rooftop will help address the city’s housing shortages and bring new life to the downtown.

And while the City of Prince Albert has not yet received any relevant engineering or building permit applications, Louai Alrifai, CEO of Alrifai Real Estate, remains positive he can start construction early next year and wrap up by the fall.

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“I can see a win-win situation for us as an investor, the Prince Albert community and for the local shoppers when we bring downtown back to life,” he said.

The one-bedroom homes would each be about 329 square feet and, according to Alrifai, designed specifically for students and young professionals.

The monthly rent would be $1,000 and would include utilities (heat, water and high-speed internet).

An aerial view of the roof of Gateway Mall in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

Last spring’s heavy snowfall resulted in structural issues at the mall and leaking. Alrifai confirmed to paNOW those problems have been addressed, and he believes this project is feasible.

“The rooftop was originally and built for commercial parking so it can hold 700 full-size cars and trucks,” he said, adding the small modular homes will be built to sustain the cold winters western Canadians experience.

The parking spaces on the roof have in the past been used by students attending the First Nations University of Canada. Alrifai said once they get the permits in place, they will be adding 700 additional parking spaces on the east and south sides of the mall.

“We have every intent to keep accommodating the university,” he said.

According to a statement provided by Michael Nelson, acting director for the Department of Community Development, the city has not received a formal development or building permit application related to the proposed rooftop residential development.

He added the city does have several incentive programs available, including the Downtown Business Incentive Program for eligible projects within the downtown area.

“Any application would be subject to the program requirements and any required city council approvals. To date, no incentive application has been received for this project.”

Alrifai said he expects to have an application package in place by the end of November.

In addition to the housing project, he also indicated plans to finalize a five-acre industrial parcel within the city for a modular home manufacturing facility. This, in turn, would create local employment and training apprenticeships across northern Saskatchewan.

Since purchasing the mall months ago, Alrifai has mentioned other project ideas including the pursuit of a possible Costco outlet.

— with files from CJME News

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