Ariel artist's rending of the Te’tuxwtun project in Nanaimo's Harewood neighbourhood. (City of Nanaimo)

By Ian Holmes

enhanced project

Substantial housing boost envisioned for Te’tuxwtun project in Harewood

May 5, 2023 | 6:06 AM

NANAIMO — A long-discussed housing project in the Harewood neighbourhood features a dramatic boost in housing, according to a newly released draft concept plan.

The Te’tuxwtun plan outlined on the BC Housing website envisions 390 rental housing units on three properties encompassing nearly six acres in size off Fifth St.

Mindful the site still requires rezoning and formal development plans have not been submitted, Mayor Leonard Krog said it’s encouraging to hear many more housing units are on the table.

“I think it represents an excellent vision for the property, a far more exciting vision than was discussed previously.”

Thirty-four non-market rental homes to replace the Sanala complex are planned, along with 356 new rental units of both affordable and market rental stock on the property currently encompassing BC Housing land, City of Nanaimo green space and School District 68 property.

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A pledge of at least 40 affordable housing units was previously committed for the site, alongside culturally responsive services and amenities.

Increased housing density is now envisioned as part of the Te’tuxwtun development concept. (City of Nanaimo)

Besides rental housing options, the new-look plan includes a publicly accessible central outdoor courtyard, community gathering space, childcare facility and an alternative-learning school planned for the old Harewood School site.

More than 400 underground parking stalls are also envisioned.

An ongoing Knowledge Partners public engagement process formulated the concept plan, with Snuneymuxw First Nation guiding the process in partnership with the City of Nanaimo, BC Housing and Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools.

Krog said ongoing public opinions will being welcomed in the months and years ahead.

“While I’m not expecting shovels in the ground soon, I am expecting a great deal of public interest,” Krog told NanaimoNewsNOW.

A City of Nanaimo parkland dedication title needs to be removed for the project to advance.

The site, dissected by Howard Ave., also requires official community plan and zoning amendments, which require public hearings before 564 Fifth St., along with 502 and 505 Howard Ave. can be redeveloped.

An application to re-zone the property to allow for residential, commercial, institutional and recreation use was submitted to the City in March.

The application is accompanied by several artist renderings of what the finished product could look like.

Public spaces and gathering areas are anticipated in fulfilling the Te’tuxwtun vision (City of Nanaimo)

More than 350 people took part in an engagement process early last year to help formulate the conceptual plan.

Gerry Hachey lives on Howard Ave. near Fourth St., located just a few homes down from the site.

While he has concerns pertaining to mounting traffic issues in the Harewood area, Hachey supports the Te’tuxwtun vision.

He said it’s clear much more needs to be done to provide housing options for marginalized populations.

“I don’t have answers to it, but I know one answer is more housing. I hate to see my little neighbourhood getting all crowded, but it’s where we live, people love it here and that’s why I moved here,” Hachey said.

Breakdown of the partners involved in the Te’tuxwtun project which is overseen by Snuneymuxw First Nation. (City of Nanaimo)

The concept plan outlined on BC Housing’s website states potential upgrades to Howard Ave. include traffic slowing measures, additional street parking and the option for Howard. Ave through the development to be closed off for major community events.

“Let’s hope it all gets pulled together with cohesion to help with the traffic, homeless and get some people off the street. I’m all for it,” Hachey said.

The delayed project has been a long-time coming, having first been introduced late in 2019 when a memorandum of understanding was formed.

In a statement to NanaimoNewsNOW, BC Housing noted while the final number of homes to be created on the site is still to be determined the plan was always to develop a larger number of affordable rental homes beyond the 34 units originally committed.

“The province, through BC Housing, is committed to funding these homes. Funding will be determined once plans are finalized for individual projects,” BC Housing stated.

The City of Nanaimo’s director of community development Lisa Bhopalsingh anticipates the first two readings to rezone the Te’tuxwtun property will be done this summer, while she hopes the required zoning will be approved in the early stages of next year.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes