A $2.8-million housing development is in the works for Portage la Prairie's northwest end.

At its meeting Monday night, city council approved the sale of a 10,009 square-foot parcel of land, classified as roadway that runs along the western shoulder of 18th Street NW, to Hudson Ventures for $21,780. The developer plans to create 28 new residential suites by building two new 14-unit apartments: an expansion of existing units at 18th Street NW, just south of Gigot Ave.

"The developer hasn't identified a construction schedule yet, this is just about securing the property for future development," says Finance, Legislative and Properties committee chair Brent Budz. "It's not something, I believe in conversations we've had, that they'll delay. But it hasn't been set in stone just yet."

A Portage Regional Economic Development report to council explains pricing was determined by a similar sale of property by the City in 2007. The sale still needs ministerial approval as required to close a public roadway.