The City of Saskatoon isn’t wasting any time moving on the federal government’s promise of $41.325 million in Housing Accelerator Fund money.
According to a public notice, there is now a proposal to sell a portion of land at the intersection of McKercher Drive and Heritage Crescent, with the intention of building an affordable housing project there.
The site along McKercher Drive is about 1.4 acres, and located on the same property as the Lakewood Civic Centre, where the current community gardens are.
Ward 8 Coun. Sarina Gersher said in June that city council debated putting several city lots forward for potential sale and re-development as part of the HAF initiative, and the piece of land at the civic centre was one of those.
“This parcel specifically does require additional consideration because of the municipal reserve designation on its site, and so that will be debated at our August public hearing meeting of city council,” she said.
If approved, Gersher said the intent is also to relocate the community garden a short distance away, but still on the civic centre site.
“So, to make sure that it’s seamless and there’s no gap around any of the gardening years. And so this year won’t be impacted, and next year they should be able to have their growing season — just on an adjacent site,” she added.
If the affordable housing project on the Lakewood Civic Centre site in Wildwood is approved, the intent is also to relocate the community garden a short distance away, but still on the civic centre site. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)
Although there aren’t any other properties that are similar to the one proposed in Wildwood, the city is looking at selling several other municipal owned sites for more affordable housing units to be built, including 2401 Broadway Avenue, 25- 25th Street East, 231 23rd Street East, and 155-3rd Avenue North.
The idea, said Gersher, was to identify pieces of city land that were connected to nearby services like leisure centres, transit, green spaces and even food stores.
“I think we’re at an advantage to put forward some good options,” she added.
There has been both support and some criticism on social media of the proposed affordable housing location in Wildwood, with those in favour indicating more housing is needed there, while others were worried about disappearing green space or added density in an area that already has many apartment buildings.
Gersher said most of the feedback she’s heard around the HAF have been concerns about zoning changes and parking.
“So, I actually haven’t been hearing much from residents specifically for this parcel of land, but I do expect folks will be able to continue sharing their feedback as this moves forward,” she said.
The municipal reserve designation on the portion of Lakewood Civic Centre property being considered for sale and re-development will be debated at a public hearing on Aug. 28.
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