Description

Located in James Bay, Michigan Square is a 62-unit housing development owned by the Capital Region Housing Corporation since 1985. Redevelopment will include replacing the three buildings fronting Michigan Street with two 4-storey apartment buildings to provide 97 new affordable rental units.

The site is close to James Bay and South Park Elementary schools, recreation areas Beacon Hill Park and Ogden Point as well as nearby transit and shopping centres.

The project got underway in December 2021 with completion estimated in Q1 of 2024.

The Regional Housing Trust Fund Contribution is $1.095 million.

Proposed Features include:

• Affordable rentals
• 3 studio units
• 4 studio accessible units
• 30 1-bedroom units
• 3 1-bedroom accessible units
• 47 2-bedroom units
• 10 3-bedroom units
• Existing 68 vehicle parking structure will be retained
• 132 bicycle parking spots will be provided
• Close to parks, shopping and schools
• Close to public transportation
• Designed and constructed to achieve BC Energy Step Code 3

Project Updates

May 30, 2022: CRHC Vice-Chair David Screech helped announce the beginning of construction on the Michigan Square redevelopment at a groundbreaking event held on site. The Attorney General and Minister of Housing David Eby, Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Grace Lore and City of Victoria Councillor Sarah Potts were also on hand.

January 4, 2022: Demolition began at 330-336 Michigan Street.

Winter 2021: Final budget approval was given by the CRD Board. The project is set to get underway in December 2021 with a target completion date of Q4 2023.

Fall 2020: At an October 22, 2020 Public Hearing, a Development Permit with Variance was granted by the City of Victoria, sending the Michigan Square redevelopment into final design which will continue through 2021. Construction is estimated to commence in November 2021.

February 27, 2020: The Development Permit with Variance was presented to Committee of the Whole, and received a recommendation to proceed to Public hearing upon execution of legal agreements, including execution of a Housing Agreement to secure the new buildings as rental tenure in perpetuity.

Fall 2019: Presentation & Attendance at the City of Victoria Advisory Design Panel. Changes to building design and unit composition were undertaken to improve the pedestrian scale of the buildings along Michigan Street, provide for direct at-grade access to townhouse style units and addition of a community garden.

July 5, 2019: An application for a Development Permit with Variance was submitted to the City of Victoria.

In 2019 following CRHC Board approval, the project will progress through the planning phase and submission of the rezoning and development permit application.

December 12, 2018: Approval by the CRHC Board for the Major Capital Plan (2019-2023) including redevelopment of the Michigan Square site.

August 23, 2016: CRHC board approved the Renewal, Redevelopment and Development Strategy which identified redevelopment of Michigan Square as a priority.

Images