By Ian Holmes

Student housing to anchor development on Nanaimo’s Third Street

Sep 18, 2017 | 2:07 PM

NANAIMO — Development plans signal a dramatic change for a vacant lot on Third St. near Nanaimo District Secondary School.

City of Nanaimo staff have finished reviewing rezoning plans for nine mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, which includes 100 student housing units at 525 Third St. between Watfield and Hillcrest Ave.

The City of Nanaimo’s manager of current planning and subdivision Lainya Rowett told NanaimoNewsNOW a final endorsement from City Council is required then a building permit can be issued.

“It’s definitely a project that characterizes I think where we are at as a city and that is that we are an infill city.”

Rowett said the proposal involves three, five-storey buildings on Third St., with 66 apartment units above and commercial space on the ground floor. She noted 100 units dedicated for post-secondary students will provide 218 beds. Eighteen townhouse units in five smaller buildings round out the proposal.

Making an impact

Nanaimo woman publishes books to open awareness of neurodiverse children

2h ago

iconic voice

Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole, a welcome voice for a half-century, dead at 90

9h ago

first response

New staffing model on Gabriola Island hires local paramedics for enhanced patient care

14h ago

Rowett said there are limited services for people living in the area, pointing out that coffee shops, a laundromat and retail stores would be a good fit for the business component.

“It’s going to provide an opportunity for more residents to live close to amenities such as the Aquatic Centre and the high school (NDSS) and also for student housing to provide a place for people who are going to university at VIU.”

Most of the roughly 4.5-acre property has been vacant for several years.

Gunter Yost of Universal Estates, representative for the property owner, told NanaimoNewsNOW he expected construction to start next spring if council signs off on the project. He said utility lines, street lights and sidewalks could be in place by the end of the year.

Yost said the development will be known as The Village on Third.

ian@NanaimoNewsNOW.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes