Campbell River Looks To “Reimagine The Row”

Changes are coming to Campbell River’s Shoppers Row.

The city picked up a piece of property on Shoppers Row last year and is adding three more to ‘Reimagine the Row,’ with the demolition of existing buildings and by partnering with the private sector to develop commercial and civic spaces along with housing above.

The initiative has been a priority for many years, and the current Council says it is focused on actively driving it forward during this term.

Council is intentionally focusing on Shoppers Row as the epicenter of downtown revitalization and wants to see efforts continue to expand outwards.

“Council has a vision for the downtown. We are reimagining Shoppers Row and bringing back the vibrancy and strong character that Campbell River is known for. This strategic investment will animate the area, increase livability and walkability, and deliver on Council’s commitment to downtown revitalization and community safety,” says Mayor Kermit Dahl.

“The purchase of these properties for redevelopment supports a wide range of businesses and housing opportunities in key locations. It will be home to new commercial spaces which will stimulate our local economy  and provide more attainable housing within walking distance of key amenities, while addressing some of the existing safety challenges at this location.”

In terms of housing, the developments would support rental housing with a variety of unit types (studio apartments to 3-bedroom units) for middle income earners.

It would also house a Downtown Safety Office and be a space where residents can speak to bylaw enforcement officers about neighbourhood concerns and be a hub for the regular patrols and clean-up work taking place downtown.

The City purchased the select properties in the 1300 block of Shoppers Row for $10.6 million, using a portion of the $10.4 million in funding from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).

Grants, such as the HAF, and City reserve funds will also be used to advance this project with no direct impact to taxation.

The project is currently in the planning phase. A public process to select a development partner will move forward in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit Get Involved Campbell River.