It's not easy being green for the City of Langford.

B次元官网网址 of their plan to create a new permanent "green oasis" in the downtown core of Langford, has received mixed reviews.

While the majority of residents have welcomed the purchase of the manufactured home site, known as Woodlands Park, for the urban green space project, others have expressed "deep concerns."

One sticking point for some residents is the $9.8 million price tag for the six-acre piece of land, located at 848 Hockley Ave.

Taking into consideration the cost of purchasing the 45 homes on the site for their assessed value, plus 10 per cent, some locals believe the total cost could rise to $20 million.

B次元官网网址淲e need to be transparent about that,B次元官网网址� said Lisa Foxhall, speaking at a council meeting on Monday (Jan. 13), who also noted the cityB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渧agueB次元官网网址� annual budget of $1 million over the next five years to buy out the Woodlands tenants, does not add up.

B次元官网网址淭he numbers don't work,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey don't add up to buy all 45 trailers, unless the city only pays $100,000 per trailer, and that is not enough for the seniors to move out and find other accommodation.

B次元官网网址淭he city needs to have $2.5 million per year for that plan to work,B次元官网网址� she added.

Concerns were also raised about the displacement of Woodlands Park tenants, who have been given five years to find alternative accommodation and vacate the site.

B次元官网网址淲e're in a housing crisis and you're kicking all the residents out,B次元官网网址� said Wendy Bowers.

To support the tenants with their transition, the city has hired a tenant liaison person, who met with them on Thursday Jan. 9 to break the news of the sale, hours before the city went public.

B次元官网网址淣ot many were surprised,B次元官网网址� said James Ridge, who noted all tenants were "gracious and respectfulB次元官网网址� about the news.  B次元官网网址淥ddly enough, a lot of people expected that there would be a change in ownership at some point B次元官网网址� they simply didn't know the time.B次元官网网址�

Tenants are considering a number of options explained Ridge, including purchasing a new property, renting, moving into independent living facilities and relocation of their existing home.

B次元官网网址淭here are already seven residents who would like to sell as soon as possible,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd I expect there will be more in the coming weeks.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淧eople are understandably concerned about where they're going to go, but they are also very appreciative that they have five years to make that decision B次元官网网址� rather than the one year, which is what is required under provincial legislation,B次元官网网址� added Ridge.

At the Jan. 13 meeting councillors unanimously agreed to give the first three readings to a bylaw dedicating the land as a park in perpetuity.

Councillors have praised the acquisition of the site, which has been a mobile home park for almost 60 years, as a B次元官网网址済ift a lifetimeB次元官网网址� for LangfordB次元官网网址檚 residents.

B次元官网网址淚n all my years I've been on council, I think this is the most exciting announcement we've ever had B次元官网网址� a park in the heart of Langford, over six acres,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Lillian Szpak.

For Coun. Colby Harder, who had worked with the owners of Woodlands Park to aid the sale, the decision was a personal one.

Having grown up in a mobile home park, Harder expressed empathy for the residents displaced by the purchase.

B次元官网网址淚t's been the hardest part of this decision,B次元官网网址� she said, adding she felt B次元官网网址渃omfortedB次元官网网址� the tenants will be supported by the city B次元官网网址渆very step of the way.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚'm so honoured to have had the opportunity to help bring this gift forward because it is a gift and it's going to be incredible,B次元官网网址� she continued. B次元官网网址淎nd I want to just express that I'm deeply committed to making sure that we do right by the tenants because that is what IB次元官网网址檇 want for my family.B次元官网网址�