It’s the first building many people see when they get to downtown Prince Rupert, and it hasn’t been a good thing.
But now Northern Savings Credit Union has plans for what many people consider an eyesore in the downtown core.
The credit union has purchased the old Dairy Queen building at corner of 3rd Avenue West and McBride Street which has been left empty since the restaurant shut down in the late 90s.
Northern Savings says it will work with the City of Prince Rupert’s Redesign Rupert to redevelop downtown.
“I’m so excited to see Redesign Rupert moving into action by working with partners to revitalize our community, said Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain in a news release. “Northern Savings Credit Union has been a stable and reliable partner for Prince Rupert for many years, and we welcome this commitment to improving the downtown core. The DQ building is the first thing you see when coming into town. This change in hands signals a new beginning and opportunity for our community.”
Over the next few months, the credit union plans to remove the existing building envelope and will evaluate the best use of the property for the short and long-term.