Langley City has purchased the parking lot behind City Hall and the Timms Centre, with the possibility of the land being turned into a civic centre or a multi-storey parkade.

The property was bought from the Langley Hotel around six months ago, said Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender.

“It was bought as part of our Downtown Master Plan,” Fassbender said. “We have no firm plans for it. We aren’t sure what the long term plans for it will be, whether we partner with the owners of the other buildings on the corner (at Fraser Highway) or not.”

Parking is a “huge” issue for the area, he said. It will have to factor in somehow. Despite the fact that parking is at a premium, the City-owned parking lot beside the Masonic Hall remains empty and is now for lease for use of retail or restaurant, according to a sign on the lot.

For a number of years, the City has purchased land in order to control what will go on the particular property. Just recently, the City bought and sold the parking lot beside Douglas Park to Weststone Properties, which intends to build high-end condos.

“You have to be very strategic in property negotiations. You don’t want to inflate prices artificially,” Fassbender said. “What role do you play? If the role is a catalyst, it’s a good thing.”

The City has purchased several properties in the past year, including the Langley Prairie school site. A call for development proposals was put out for the month of July.

“We’ve had one proposal and we’ve had the feedback from the residents in the area. Our staff are looking at all of that now,” Fassbender said.

He doesn’t believe the proposal will come to council yet. The City has been criticized by some residents for keeping these real estate deals private.

“No matter what, this [Prairie] property requires rezoning (it’s zoned institutional). So we have to hold a public hearing,” he said. “There are neighbours out there who think our minds are made up and it isn’t true.”

The City has received approval from federal aviation authorities to allow for up to 24-storey highrises on the property.

The Langley Prairie Preservation Coalition has proposed the property remain 50 per cent park with a small off-leash park for dogs and a playground.