More affordable apartments are coming to Victoria in the future as the city council approved a new mixed-use development complex on Thursday.
The approved plans were put forward from Victoria Cool Aid Society, in conjunction with TL Housing Solutions, which features a seven-storey development at 3020 Douglas St. and 584 Burnside Road E., where the Tally-Ho used to be located.
City councillors approved the rezoning application and development permit application, which means that 102 affordable apartments, along with 52 new homes for the existing supportive housing tenants and various community amenities will be coming to the site.
The development project, which is called Crosstown, will be designed for working families, seniors, and singles with annual incomes ranging from $8,000 to $78,000. Approximately 32,000 square feet of commercial space, a coffee shop, a second-floor daycare, underground parking, bike storage, and a public plaza are also included in the development.
“Cool Aid’s extensive community engagement process played a major role in the project’s overall design and we benefitted by many suggestions from neighbours who participated right from the beginning,” said CEO Kathy Stinson in a press release issued Friday.
According to planning documents available on the city’s website, Crosstown would comprise of 88 studio units, six accessible studio units, 20 one-bedroom units, four accessible one-bedroom units, four two-bedroom units, nine three-bedroom units and four work-live units. There would also be 21 adaptable one-bedroom units, which have the ability to be converted into accessible units depending on whether there is funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
“No one should be homeless in our community,” added Kathy Stinson.
Following Victoria City Council’s approval, the Cool Aid Society is hoping to begin construction in October, while targeting a completion date October 2022.
Cool Aid is estimating the project will employ up to 200 workers during construction at a time when the economy and community housing stock needs rebuilding.
Files from Nicholas Pescod.
Graham Cox
