The Howard Johnson Hotel has sat closed and boarded up for years. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

notable concept

Rezoning application submitted for stagnant Howard Johnson hotel

Aug 17, 2021 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — The first of many steps is underway to resurrect one of Nanaimo’s most high-profile properties.

A rezoning application for 1 Terminal Ave., which includes the closed Howard Johnson Hotel, was submitted to the City of Nanaimo by Oakwood Park Estates on July 28, 2021.

The currently empty parking lots would be jam packed with residential buildings if this design is approved. (D’Ambrosio)

The application is aimed at transforming what is currently a 6.2 acre development and medium density residential zoned area to a comprehensive development, including mixed-use residential, retail and a hotel development.

Conceptual plans, submitted by the D’Ambrosio architecture firm based in Victoria, show several buildings roughly six-storeys high filling in the space at the back of the site which is currently an open parking lot.

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A 16-storey building would be built where much of the old Howard Johnson hotel currently is.

A smaller hotel would be built right on the corner of Terminal Ave. and Comox Rd.

The lands at 1 Terminal Ave. would change substantially if this development were approved. (D’Ambrosio)

A rezoning application is the first of many steps, which include delegations to Nanaimo city council, staff approval and public hearings before the rezoning is approved.

It would then need both a development and building permit, which can take a substantial amount of time for such a large project.

The site was intended to be renovated with a new hotel and arena near the end of its life for $80 million, but the plan was never elaborated on by the hotel’s owner.

The land at 1 Terminal Ave. is assessed at roughly $8 million, with the current buildings assessed at slightly less than $1.1 million.

The land value, according to BC Assessment, jumped from $6.9 million to $9.1 from 2020 to 2021.

Plans for the former Howard Johnson hotel site are current as of July 28 and are subject to change.

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