Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
Oliver Town Council is undecided on relocating Town Hall to Main Street, but it still has its sights set on establishing affordable housing on the three lots in question.
The discussion on combining a new Town Hall with affordable (Kiwanis) housing took place on March 13 when Director of Development Services Randy Houle presented a revised concept (the previous one did not get funding support from BC Housing).
The plan for 6219, 6225, and 6331 Main Street has been changed to reflect a new vision including a five-storey building including 16 apartments and a new Town Hall space on the first floor.
The total estimated cost of the project is $16.8 million, with the housing portion costing $11.5 million and the new Town Hall space costing $5.3 million.
Mayor Martin Johansen said it would be great if they could pull this off but admitted $5.3 million to relocate Town Hall is too costly. He now thinks it would be a good opportunity to make the entire project an affordable housing complex with subsidized rentals.
“It’s something the town really needs,” he said. “More and more I hear about people unable to come to town because there’s no place to rent.”
The mayor stated he knows of four young tradesmen who are leaving to go up north because they can’t afford to live in Oliver or find a place to rent.
Councillor Petra Veintimilla said she was never really in favour of moving Town Hall to Main Street because she prefers to establish housing on those lots. But she pointed out that this structure will be three storeys higher than the adjacent buildings.
Houle said he is planning to speak to Kiwanis Housing to see if they are amenable to having and managing a couple of retail spaces as part of the project. He said one option is to put a little money in the budget towards a couple of retail stores rather than a Town Hall.
Johansen said they would likely need a referendum for the Town Hall proposal and questioned if that would be approved by the taxpayer.
“My concern is going too far down the road and not getting what you want at the end of the day.”
But Councillor Dave Mattes said he was prepared to take that risk.
These town-owned lots on Main Street are still being considered by Oliver Town Council for a new Town Hall and affordable housing component.
(File photo)
