What’s up in the neighbourhood?

Coastland Update

We are struggling at this time as are all forest industry companies. We were on reduced work schedules last Summer – early Fall but are back to almost full time hours. The market has picked up a little lately but we are still concerned about the outlook for the next year or two. We employ over 160 people full time. Our market is the Pacific Northwest area of the US and Western Canada.

The energy system has been working well for a long time now. We have had excellent test results that last few times – well below our permit level.

The combination of operator experience and knowing our variation in fuel moisture and operating parameters has made life a lot easier for us all.

Thanks to Jack Stephens from Coastland for providing.

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In the News

Milton Street Fire Deemed Suspicious by Nanaimo Fire Rescue Investigators. City memo to the press.

City Log: Project will help house homeless.  CMHA announces new project on Wesley Street, city will help fund sprinkler system at the Balmoral.

Port vision includes transportation hub. From the Feb 17 Nanaimo News Bulletin.

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What’s Up with Building Developments?

The Condo development planned for 253 Victoria Road is tentatively scheduled to go before council for approval in March.

The Good Samaritan House add-on that was presented at the February SECA meeting has been to the design panel.  The builder is now dealing with some building code issues.

Approval for the apartment building planned for 275 Nicol Street was passed a few weeks ago.  No word on starting date.

The condo planned for the MGM Restaurant site is on hold for now.

Some interesting info on the planned Robins’ Gardens development.  This will, apparently be a fairly cutting-edge development from an environmental standpoint.  The developer has committed to saving as many of the trees as possible.  The triangle at the end of the parcel will become a “visual amenity space”  (hey, I don’t make the terms up, I just report them…J), which basically means the trees will remain, along with a see-through wrought iron fence with interpretation signs.  I asked about a park space, but the problem is that the roots of the trees can’t withhold a lot of trampling and since the trees are rare, it makes sense to maintain them.

And if you are green at all, you will love this feature:  storm water management (leftover water that would normally go back into the system) will be used to water the trees in the area.  (Chris LoS. your grin is lighting up the neighbourhood…J)  According to Gary Noble:  “considerable money and attention has been paid to this project.”

The units will be 3 storey buildings with a Victorian look.  Planned to be built one at a time.  Building units were originally planned to be bigger i.e. 1400 SF, but the current demand in our area is for smaller units (starters/singles/retirees), so the unit size is being reduced, but will still be larger than some of the developments that have been presented to us recently.

The 6-plex planned for 13 Haliburton Street, a creative use of space that was presented at our January meeting.  Gary relayed that the developer really valued the input from residents.  They are working on solutions specifically related to parking:  for cars, scooters, and bicycles.

Thanks so MUCH to Gary Noble, the Development Approval Planner for the City of Nanaimo.  Both for taking the time to provide updates for us, and for helping developers understand how to “fit into” the South End.

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Port Place Mall Update

We get a tremendous number of people searching for information on Port Place mall updates on our site.  So your intrepid reporter is doing a little digging and will attempt to provide ongoing updates.  We’ll speak mostly to the needs of residents i.e.  store openings/closings etc.  and a little more generally to what is happening.

According to the city, the development process is still in progress, constantly changing, nothing firm at the moment, ongoing negotiation.

The overall design is still basically what was shown at the open house, the city says.  To the best of my knowledge, that is a street running though from Nicol to the Gabriola ferry, with casino,  8 story residence and retail on one side and strictly retail on the other.  According to the original plan, the 4 outlets that will be moving to the new development are Thrifty Foods, London Drugs, Medical Arts, and CIBC.

Recent news about a possible transportation hub at the Assembly Lands may impact the overall development. Cruise ship, accessibility, traffic studies are all playing a role in the process.

Stores now closed are ones from the south entrance to around Falconer Books.  Some have moved to the north end of the Mall i.e. Charlie Brown’s, clothing, shoe store.  (Intrepid reporter forgets pen and paper to write down business names.  Decides against applying for a job at the Daily News.)

• The Green Store is now located outside the mall near the casino.
• Canada Post and Liquor Store still operational.
• Coast Capital Insurance is now located in the new Conference Centre building, between Serious Coffee and Iris.
• The food court contains the Japanese stall and the coffee place.
• The Dollar store will remain open until they receive notice to leave.
• Fields is still open
• The inkjet cartridge people have moved to near Canada Post.

No word from remaining retailers on when they will be asked to vacate, they have not received notice from mall owners.

We’ll keep updating, so please, if you have anything to share with the rest of the world, post below.

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Social Planning Update

The Balmoral has made an application to CMHC for renovation of  the rooms.

The next round of renovations at the Balmoral include new exterior windows, completely new plumbing, new interior tenant suite doors, and some enhanced fire safety renovations.

CMHA has been selected to manage and build the social housing project on Wesley St. They have started looking for and architect and contractor.  The RFP (Request for Proposal) will go shortly.  The CMHA expects timelines of  9 to 12 months to design and 9 to 12 months to build.

A free dental clinic downtown, above the Rendezvous,  is planned to open in about 6 weeks.  It will provide emergency pain relief for people who are on income assistance or without any funds to pay. (People who can afford to pay will be directed elsewhere.)

Behind this initiative are Dr Jim Guild, a dentist in Ladysmith, Dr Frances Walsh from the Harewood Dental Clinic in Harewood, and Paul Manhas, the owner of the building who has provided the space for minimum rent.  SPAC  (Social Planning Action Committee) has provided $35,000 for start-up costs.

The clinic will begin on a drop-in basis a few days/month.

Thanks so much to John Horn, Social Planner for the updates.  And to Cris Martens from the CMHA.

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New Book Published In South End

Who would have known that 100 years ago Nanaimo was the most rad place in North America! – something you will conclude after reading South End resident and SECA member Larry Gambone’s book, “The Impossibilists.” This little book is both an historical overview of Western Canadian radicalism, and a collection of articles taken from early socialist and labour newspapers. There are some surprises here for sure.

One section is devoted to the writings of labour martyr Ginger Goodwin, out of print since about 1917.

Hot off the press, this 90 pager goes for only $10.00 Copies can be picked up from the author at the next SECA meeting or ordered from redlionpress@hotmail.com

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New Social Housing Initiatives Take a Pass on the South End

On Aug 6, Social Planner John Horn attended the Nob Hill monthly meeting to present the 40-unit housing for the homeless project that’s slated to be built at 437-445 Wesley Street.

The Wesley site is one of 5 planned properties, which will yield an aggregate total of 160 units. The other sites include:

• 1402-1590 Bowen Rd.,
• 1598 Townsite Rd.,
• 3515 Hillside Ave.,
• 477 10th St.

The goal is to provide, through building and rent subsidies, homes for the 300+ homeless in Nanaimo.

The partnership between the City of Nanaimo and the Province of British Columbia  is based on a collaborative model:

• the City of Nanaimo provides the land
• the Province of BC provides Capital and Staffing,
• a Non-Profit Society provides Management,
• and the RCMP, the Non-Profit, Mental health, and VIHA provide tenant selection.

All are low barrier housing projects. That means, according to Social Planner John Horn: “There will be a clear expectation that residents of these projects will have respect for the neighbourhood and the building. There is not a requirement that tenants participate in a mental health or addiction treatment plan etc.”

Of the five properties,  three (Wesley, Bowen and Townsite) will provide supportive housing to the homeless. That means: “in all three projects the intent is always to move folks towards sobriety and health from whatever point they are starting at.”

In supportive housing, beyond regular staff,  an ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) team, comprised of highly skilled professionals i.e. psychologists, psychiatrists, addictions counsellors, mental health clinicians etc.  will carry a caseload of clients who live there.  Funding for and ACT team has been applied for from the BC government.

The Wesley and Bowen road projects are the same size (about 35-40 units), Townsite will have two 35-40 unit buildings; one that is low barrier and one that will be second stage housing for folks further down the sobriety road.

Much of the Nanaimo’s initiative is based on models that have been highly successful in cities like Portland and Toronto.  The models revolve around the idea that when people have a place to live and a sense of ownership, they are more able to make other changes in their lives.

Hmmmm…5 interesting points…..

1. The city stated that they would move social housing initiatives to other parts of the city, not just the South End.   A great BIG THANKS for listening to us.
2. The city donating land keeps costs down, moves the process along quicker, and guarantees to the province that Nanaimo is serious.  However, it limits sites to the city’s existing inventory of land.  The lack of wriggle room means the city as a whole benefits, while individual neighbourhoods may not.
3. Interestingly, one of the largest projects is going to be right behind City Hall.
4. The Balmoral project is not part of the city initiative, but it does mark the South End as an existing social housing provider
5. While most people are squeamish about the fancy term “low barrier housing”, it really just describes how most of the rooming houses (including the pre-CHMA Balmoral) have been traditionally operated.

Thanks to contributors who provided the info for this article:  Gord Fuller, Jacquie Howardson and Norm Abbey from the Neighbours of Nob Hill, Social Planner John Horn.

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Bulletin Board

Loaves & Fishes Food Bank is looking for a casual driver (on-call) for their 1 ton truck. There is a modest wage for this, but they wouldn’t turn down a volunteer either. Need to provide a clean driver’s abstract.  Contact Abby or JoAnne 240-754-8347

Our monthly mini-litter pick-up is THIS Saturday, November 29

McDonald’s dining area won’t be open until mid-Dec, so this gives us the perfect excuse to get out in the neighbourhood, support some other businesses, and try someplace new. The  MGM Restaurant at 240 Nicol has set aside a table for 12 on Sat AM @ 8:45…come anytime from then on for breakfast or coffee. Whining about too much beer intake at the Beer & Burger event the night before will be verboten. (not allowed)

We’ll fan out around 9:30 to clean up for an hour and then deposit our litter in MGM’s bin (thanks Tony and Katrina).

Bring gloves and extra plastic grocery bags.  By 10:30, you’re on your way, and may even have burned off the calories from breakfast!

Let’s take action in 2009 – Province-wide Stands lead up to provincial election

On April 4 2009, thousands of people throughout B.C. will march to demand that the government in Victoria build enough affordable rental housing to meet urgent B.C. needs. Together we can make affordable housing a key issue in the election. The goal of these marches is to elicit immediate, concrete public commitments from provincial candidates seeking election on May 12^th.

During the past six months the province-wide Stands for Housing movement has grown in strength. Our accomplishments include increasing alliances among community organizations, 75 Stands on one day and attention-getting Surround City Hall events last month. Because there have been Stands with close to 100 participants, including 70 in the small municipality of Princeton, we know that recruiting large numbers of people is achievable.

In order to build toward a minimum of 15,000 participants on April 4^th, province-wide Stands will be held on Saturday Nov 29 between 1 and 2pm at the Pearson Bridge

Great Nanaimo Toy Drive

This well-known annual event, which ensures that needy children up to age 17 will receive a gift at Christmas, is up and running for 2008. Registration happens at Harewood Mall (next to Starbucks) on December 1, 2 and 3 from 10 AM to 4 PM. To register a child, please bring your care card.

Receiving Days are December 17 and 18, between 9 and 4 PM at the Franklyn Street Gym (rear). Parents come and select a gift from the display that they think their child would like.

If you would like to donate, the drive is looking for new toys that have not been wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. Toys are sought for all children, from newborns to teenagers.

This is a huge community effort and over 100 volunteers are needed. If you can help sort before or distribute at the event, please contact Arlene Brownhill at 758.8670.

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