Fernie’s former fire hall could get a new purpose as a mixed commercial and residential building thanks to a collaboration between the City and the Elk Valley Family Society.
Fernie City Council has backed the Elk Valley Family Society (EVFS) on predevelopment works and funding applications to move the redevelopment process forward.
Current planning points to the creation of a mixed-use development on the city-owned property, which could feature commercial space on the ground floor and long-term rentals above.
The project is still in its early phases, but the city anticipated the rental units to feature a mix of studio, one, and two-bedroom units.
“The City is very pleased to support the Elk Valley Family Society with advancing this much-needed redevelopment of a key and under-utilized corner of downtown,” said Nic Milligan.
“Leveraging City-owned property to improve affordable housing availability and the diversity of housing types is a key facet of Council’s Strategic Plan.”
The building has been unoccupied since the Fernie Fire and Emergency Services moved to a temporary location on Railway Avenue. However, change is on the horizon.
“Activity is expected on the property in the coming weeks, as EVFS will be undertaking site assessments as part of their due diligence, including a geotechnical investigation requiring a small drilling rig,” said city officials.
The city will offer a long-term land lease if the site is deemed adequate and the EVFS can secure grant funding.
The use of city-owned lands for affordable housing projects is supported under Fernie’s Land Acquisition and Disposition Policy, but the developer must pay for any remediation work.
The rezoning application is expected to be presented in council chambers in June.
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