The Jean Burns building site has sat in disrepair since a fire ravaged the site more than seven years ago. (NanaimoNewsNOW FIle/Photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

developers wanted

City gauging private sector interest in redeveloping former Jean Burns building site

Jun 26, 2023 | 1:02 PM

NANAIMO — Developers are being sought to submit their ideas to transform a vacant lot at a high-profile downtown Nanaimo intersection.

The City of Nanaimo announced on Monday, June 26 an expression of interest (EOI) process had begun in an effort to redevelop 6 Commercial St., the former site of the Jean Burns building which has sat vacant since a fire in 2016.

A City news release states EOI submissions must be submitted by Tuesday, Sept. 3 by 3 p.m. and would then be viewed by Council in the fall.

“The property is currently zoned DT4 (Terminal), which will support residential and commercial uses. The Downtown Urban Design Plan and Guidelines identifies the property as an important redevelopment opportunity,” the City stated.

City councillors are interested in a project that includes ground-floor retail and incorporates housing on the upper floors, the release stated.

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Once an inlet of Nanaimo Harbour reclaimed through infilled coal waste, the City of Nanaimo stated the property has contamination issues and geotechnical issues.

“A Phase 2 Environmental Study for the property was completed in 2020 and identified several ‘hot spots’ that would need to be addressed through redevelopment of the site,’ the City noted.

Mayor Krog told NanaimoNewsNOW he believes the site will have a lot of upside in the view of the private sector.

“Whatever problems may arise from the past use of the properties, the challenges of this site is underground so to speak, is overcome by the premium location of that particular property,” Krog said.

The mayor noted pending imminent phase one upgrades to above and below ground infrastructure to modernize Terminal Ave. between Esplanade and Commercial St. as a strong private sector building incentive.

“I think will be a solid encouragement to any investor/developer to purchase this site and get on with it, the timing is almost perfect from that perspective.”

The Jean Burns building was extensively damaged by fire on March 30, 2016, and demolished in Nov. 2017, leaving a prominent downtown property vacant.

Over the summer of 2019, Council identified the property as a key site requiring redevelopment, with the City acquiring the property on Aug. 12, 2021.

Once viewed as a potential public park space, the City is focused on seeing a mixed use development at 6 Commercial St. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The property, appraised at $1.355 million, is 1,020 sq m (0.25 acres) in size and located on the prominent Commercial St., Terminal Ave., Victoria Cres. intersection.

A link to the EOI, which also contains further information on the planned redevelopment site, can be viewed here.

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