Location on Johnson Street for a new fire hall and emergency operations centre in Victoria. The $35.9 million project is subject to council authorizing funds in its 2018 Financial Plan at its meeting Thursday and the developer bringing the overall project through a rezoning process. Photo courtesy City of Victoria.
A state-of-the-art mixed-use structure will be developed downtown to house Victoria’s new fire hall and an emergency operations centre.
The 41,700 square-foot facility will replace the current 26,700 square-foot fire headquarters building and will be built to meet upcoming changes to the B.C. Building Code standards to remain operable post-disaster. Victoria Fire Chief Paul Bruce says the upgrade is fundamental.
“Without knowing without being able to determine when the next earthquake will be or how bad it will be it’s very badly needed,” said Bruce.
The seismic design load is 50 per cent higher than typical commercial buildings under increased requirements and will be able to safely be re-entered and used for emergency services after an earthquake.
B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) will lease a 3,200 square-foot space to operate a stand-alone facility for paramedics and four ambulances under a 20-year agreement.
A deal was reached with local developer Dalmatian Developments Limited Partnership and will include lots on Yates, Johnson and Cook Streets.
The total estimated cost of the project to Victoria is $35.9 million and will also include off-site servicing, sidewalk improvements and equipment and project management.
The agreement is subject to the city authorizing funds in its 2018 Financial Plan at their meeting this Thursday, and to Dalmatian Developments bringing the project through the rezoning process. Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says the developer has already reached out to the Downtown Residents Association.
“They will go through a normal development process working with the neighbourhood coming up with something that’s acceptable and bringing it to council for our consideration,” said Helps.
A rezoning application to the city is planned within the next six months.
Construction is expected to take 28 months.
The current fire hall at 1234 Yates Street will remain in operation while the new facility is constructed.
Andy Neal
