Thank you to everyone who participated in public engagement events and meetings that have shaped our design. The revised proposal, which responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the Grandview Woodland Community Plan, is a result of over 18 months of community and stakeholder engagement including public open houses, focus groups, festival pop-ups, and community presentations. Following a previous rezoning application made in June 2019, the most significant changes to the proposal include a larger rental housing component, design changes to the public plaza and animation of 10th Avenue through small-scale retail.
The revised concept is now 65% rental housing and 35% condominium homes, with a range of housing options suitable for singles, couples and families. The 480 rental homes are proposed at both market and non-market rates. This would increase the neighbourhood’s rental housing stock by 3.9%, including the increase in 3-bedroom rental homes by 29%.
New 20,000 square foot plaza is proposed adjacent to the transit station. Envisioned as a vibrant gathering space, the plaza would be actively programmed by the applicant in collaboration with community groups. The transit station wall serves as a backdrop for public art and other visual displays and the thoughtfully designed bleachers provide areas to sit and enjoy performances and other activations.
A variety of employment generating and community serving spaces are proposed. Along Broadway, a new and expanded 51,000sf Safeway is accessible from the north end of the plaza. A midblock plaza connection provides access to the 60,000sf of office and childcare podium, and a two-storey brewpub at the south end provides the perfect spot for after work drinks or neighbourly gatherings. Along East 10th Avenue, micro CRU spaces provide affordable retail opportunities for local artisans and other vendors.
The proposal will deliver substantial community and economic benefits, both in the short term as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and over the long term when the project is complete. The approximately four-year construction timeline will contribute nearly $700m to the economy and generate 2,800 jobs. At completion, future residents and the 350 full-time employees will spend over $6.5 million annually on local food and dining purchases alone.
The current proposal will deliver substantial economic benefit to the local community, both in the short term as the local economy grapples with recovery from COVID-19, and over the long term when the project is completed. Project construction is estimated to generate 2,800 jobs and construction employees are estimated to generate between $1.1 and $1.4 million in local spending per year. Future residents of the project are estimated to spend close to $6.5 million annually on local food purchases and dining out alone.