The former Hilton Belyea Arena property in west Saint John is being sold.

Council approved the conditional sale on Tuesday to a corporation titled Belyea Village Ltd.

Deputy Mayor John MacKenzie said there was a lot of interest in the Lowell Street site.

“There were four submissions and they were evaluated using a scoring matrix. The chosen proponent scored the highest,” MacKenzie said during Tuesday’s meeting.

MacKenzie said the proponent plans to build low-rise townhouses on the 8.5-acre property.

No other details have been released, including how much the property is being sold for.

Mackenzie said the sale is conditional on the property being rezoned, a development permit and the completion of the development feasibility study.

Residents will have a chance to comment on the proposal when it comes before council for the rezoning.

Council voted to close the arena in 2020. The property was declared surplus in February.