oct-2017

196 197 Efficiencies from that will help defer tax increas- es and definitely please citizens. “We know that our old buildings are at the end of their life,” Gau reports, “and very inefficient energy-wise. Our new building will be 80 percent more efficient than the National Energy Code model for this type of building.We’re doing everything we can to use capital investment dollars from other government partners to lower our operational costs, and that translates directly to easing pressure on municipal tax dollars. Construction of the operations building has been tendered and awarded at $34 million–a significant amount for a small city.We’re very grateful to have federal and territorial money to contribute to that project.We still need to take out a loan, but it’s a fraction of what it would be without our partners.” The other major development project is a new neighborhood called Whistle Bend. Gau explains, “There are nine phases and we’re working with the Yukon government to have the third phase come out next spring. This is for housing and commercial and institutional uses in a new neighborhood. It’s been designed using Smart Growth principles –density, mixed-use, energy efficiency, and municipal efficiencies regarding infrastructure and other elements, such as having almost all homes within five minutes’ walk of a bus stop. “In comparison, the historical Whitehorse lay- out is that of a very sprawled city. Our city area is 416 square kilometers with just a small tax base; therefore, we’re heavily reliant on transfers from the federal government and a comprehen- sive grant from the Yukon government.We need to become more sustainable, so designing these WHITEHORSE, YUKON TERRITORY neighborhoods in a way that is cost-efficient and preserves green spaces for recreation and storm water management is a big deal, and a big change. The pub- lic largely accepted this design and the neighborhood is already flourishing. It’s a great example of sustain- ability in the north.” Small northern municipalities can’t do this type of development on their own. The Yukon government is physically building the neighborhood project, but the City took the lead with the planning process using design charrettes (intensive collaborative planning sessions) to bring the public along and get approval for a real game changer of a development. Whitehorse provides diverse services to all outly- ing communities. Its economic base includes mining, transportation services, tourism, and government services. “We have a really small list of employers with