The old Maher Building at 1161 - 1165 100th St. in downtown North Battleford. (Image Credit: Google Map)

By Kenneth Cheung

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

North Battleford offers Maher Building for $1 as redevelopment push begins

Feb 25, 2026 | 11:47 AM

The City of North Battleford is offering a vacant downtown commercial building for $1 and the possibility of up to $125,000 in support as it looks to spur redevelopment before moving toward demolition.

The property at 1161–1165 100th St., commonly known as the old Maher Building, was acquired by the city through tax enforcement and is now being promoted as a potential revitalization project.

Candace Toma, the city’s public and intergovernmental relations co-ordinator, said the municipality does not typically hold onto properties and is not looking to develop the site itself.

“The city is not a developer of property. We’re not realtors either. So we don’t typically like to have a ton of properties in our inventory,” she said.

Assessments have indicated the structure remains viable despite years of vacancy.

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North Battleford offers Maher Building for $1 as redevelopment push begins

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“We’ve had some people assessing it, and we’re told that the ‘bones are pretty good’ of the property,” she said.

The city now faces a decision point on the building’s future. 

“We’re at that crossroads where it’s either someone has to have some sort of a vision or a business plan to make this come to life to start the revitalization process of downtown,” Toma said.

“If this doesn’t work out, if there’s nothing that comes from it, certainly demolition would be the next step and then it would become a vacant property in the city’s inventory.”

The city has already completed asbestos remediation at the site, work that would have been required whether the building is redeveloped or demolished.

The municipality is also prepared to consider financial support for a redevelopment proposal, though details are still being finalized and would require council approval.

“This is not something that’s typically in the budget right now. So we look at doing something more of a rebate program, but those terms are not entirely finalized yet.

“But that is something that we would be willing to entertain – a rebate up to $125,000 if, again, pending council approval and the viability of the project.”

Toma said the offer reflects a more creative approach the city is trying as it looks for new ways to address vacant and derelict properties.

The building itself is being offered at a symbolic price.

“The property can be yours for the low, low price of $1,” Toma said.

The city has already seen interest in the opportunity, including from local realtors. However, time is limited for redevelopment proposals.

“We would look at a demolition sometime within the early summer months is about the timeframe that we’re looking for,” she said if no proposal comes forward by then.

Toma said addressing vacant properties can have broader impacts beyond appearance, including community safety.

“Vacant properties do contribute to opportunities for criminal activity to occur. So sometimes even that demolition or the revitalization of a vacant property can improve community safety overall.”

“It’s a very complex issue and this would be just one piece of a very large puzzle that the city is embarking on to improve and enhance overall community safety and wellbeing,” she said.

Anyone interested in this project can reach out to the city at ecdev@cityofnb.ca for more information.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com