What a potential new development could look like to replace the Jean Burns Building. (City of Nanaimo)

By Ian Holmes

key property

City council to review submissions to develop Nanaimo’s Jean Burns building site

Oct 3, 2023 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — City councillors are soon expected to examine ideas pitched by the development community for a strategic downtown lot.

An expression of interest (EOI) process in place for about two months expired on Sept. 3 for 6 Commercial St., resulting in four submissions.

“We are currently reviewing the submissions and will present these to Council by November,” noted a brief statement from director of corporate and business development Bill Corsan.

The City views the 0.25 acre site located at the Commercial St., Terminal Ave, Victoria Cres. intersection as “an important redevelopment opportunity.”

Zoned for residential and commercial uses, the City envisions a mixed-use, five-storey development for the site to include commercial and residential components.

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Challenges for the property include contamination issues related to former industrial uses, with the City noting several ‘hot spots’ would need to be addressed prior to redevelopment.

A notable redevelopment incentive is a ten-year property tax exemption as part of a downtown revitalization program.

Addressing the site is seen as a key aspect in broader efforts to improve the downtown core, with the City investing heavily in Terminal Ave. with similar future intentions to overhaul Commercial St.

The deteriorating state of the vacant Jean Burns site has been a constant source of public safety concerns. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The City bought the property and two neighbouring addresses in 2021 with the aim of spurring re-development of the sites.

After originally suggesting a public square as a good fit for the Jean Burns building site, the City acknowledged about two years ago it intended to go in a different direction.

One key aspect of re-developing the area is constructing a downtown bus exchange nearby on Terminal Ave, to be located beside the Jean Burns building location.

The Jean Burns site has been in disrepair since a 2016 fire leveled the 62-year-old building which housed 15 businesses, including a popular ground-floor restaurant.

Numerous private sector investments have seen various commercial and multi-family residential projects completed in recent years or in the planning stages in the downtown core.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes