The provincial government has agreed to fund a project by the Elk Valley Family Society to construct a new apartment building on the site of the former fire hall at 692 3 Ave. This announcement was made on August 13th, as part of a $19 billion province-wide housing investment. Although the exact cost for this local project has yet to be determined, it is one of two regional projects publicly endorsed by the government this week, with the other being an apartment building at 91 Baker St. in Nelson, run by the Railtown Housing Society.
The new building in Fernie will feature 44 units across five storeys, including studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments. Preliminary plans also indicate space for businesses on the main floor. The building is designed primarily for middle-class residents, with occupants required to spend up to 30% of their income on rent, and approximately a quarter of the units will have rents at least 20% below market rate.
The decision to fund this project follows a land assessment completed by the Elk Valley Family Society in the spring, which determined the site’s eligibility for the project. The land, owned by the city, will be leased to the society over the long-term.
Mayor Nic Milligan expressed his hope that this initiative will provide locals with more housing options amidst the current shortage. He emphasized the struggle for service industry workers and professionals, such as teachers and nurses, to find good accommodation. The new building, he believes, will fill a gap in the market and offer quality housing for these demographics. Additionally, it may create movement in the housing market, which he sees as a healthy development.
Read the full article with Fernie’s Free Press HERE
