Recently, BC Transit and the Province announced the purchase of land near Uptown shopping centre that would become a future transit hub.
However, today,, the BC government announced that the scope of this project is far bigger than they initially let on.
Last month, the Province announced they had acquired the Budget Rent-a-Car site at 3657 Harriet Road as just one of several properties in Saanich that will become a transit hub as planned, as well as a new housing development. This purchase cost them $7.5 million.
They also recently acquired the former home of Ryzuk Geotechnical at 28 Crease Avenue for $1.8 million.
According to BC, the plan will include multiple buildings with hundreds of housing units.
It will also play host to new public gathering spaces, active-transportation connections, retail and commercial space as well as the potential for amenities such as child care, community-health facilities and educational services.
“Our communities are growing quickly, and people need affordable homes close to public transit, so they can get to where they need to go—and get ahead in life,” said Premier David Eby.
“That’s why our government is buying up land around transit hubs and making sure that the homes that are built there are affordable to people who actually use transit to get to school, work and appointments.
Eby says this new development will create a more connected community where everything will be more accessible.
The land for the new development near Uptown was bought through the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI).
Last year, the MoTI had an allotted $394-million property in acquisition funds in their budget which made this purchase possible.
The Province says that although the plans for this development are still in early stages, they are well aware of Saanich’s Uptown-Douglas Plan, and will adhere to that plan throughout the process.
“This project is going to help create a connected community where people live near transit with public spaces, saving more time to be with their families,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“The central location of these properties next to Highway 1, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and established shopping centre is an ideal place for a bus exchange and much-needed new housing in a transit-oriented community.”
The development is planned to fully integrate with the Lochside and Galloping Goose regional trails which will connect the project to Victoria’s arterial active transportation network.
The Province says that more information will become available as stakeholder engagement begins.
