"Former Women's Center site new face of waterfront"
52 Unit apartment building offers pedestrian plaza and public walkway
Squamish, B.C. - (May 23, 2008) - Squamish’s downtown waterfront’s next life as a community- friendly hub of homes, shops and trails is beginning to take shape. On Tuesday (May 21) council gave first two readings to rezone for a 58,000 square foot building dubbed the MirEAU. The four-story building would be the first step in an extensive waterfront development by Westmana on the Mamquam Blind Channel. It would sit near the end of Winnipeg Street, on the site once occupied by the Howe Sound Women’s Centre.
With the Women’s Centre successfully relocated to Third Avenue with the help of a $185,000 donation by the proponent, council unanimously gave first two readings to the apartment complex, thanks in part to a glowing recommendation in a staff report.
The development acts in many ways as a gateway to the channel with a waterfront walkway, pedestrian plaza, commercial strip and publicly accessible green-space. The report described the commercial units as “a great opportunity to enliven the plaza and generate vitality adjacent to the water’s edge.” The building’s mixed uses were said to “frame an entrance to the district’s hallmark public realm element: the waterfront walkway.”
Westmana representative Rene David said the design was well received because of extensive talks with the district to ensure the complex served the public. “I don’t think our work is done”, he added. Planning director Cameron Chalmers said the building’s plaza at the end of Winnipeg Street could be used to host small events and act as a gathering place for residents. Coun. Greg Gardner asked whether the building’s walkway would be consistent with the path by Marina Estates. Chalmers said it would be in the neighbourhood of 3.75 metres wide, adding that the walkway would have different widths throughout the waterfront to accommodate more significant parts. “If anything, it would be greater than what exists of Marina Estates,” he said.
The development has only a modest amount commercial use because of limited road frontage, Chalmers explained. Coun. Patricia Heintzman said she would like to see more. “I don’t know if I really buy that it’s not viable if it’s not vehicle access,” she said.” We seem to be saying for all these developments, “We’d like more business but we can’t insist on it.” Pedestrian-access commercial works better in larger communities, Chalmers said.” You might call it an excuse but I believe it’s more of a reality.”
A public hearing for the project is scheduled for June 3 at 7p.m. in council chambers.
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