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Housing plan costs escalate

The cost of redeveloping the old Savoy Hotel into low-cost housing has grown closer to $3 million, a public meeting heard Thursday night. Pastor Jim Reimer of Kootenay Christian Fellowship, which also proposes to use the derelict building for retail and church use, told about 50 people that the overall price to buy and renovate the building is “more than I thought.”
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Pastor Jim Reimer of Kootenay Christian Fellowship showed preliminary floor plans for redeveloping the old Savoy Hotel for low-income housing at a public meeting Thursday night.

The cost of redeveloping the old Savoy Hotel for affordable housing has grown closer to $3 million, a public meeting heard Thursday night.

Pastor Jim Reimer of Kootenay Christian Fellowship, which also proposes to use the derelict building for retail and church use, told about 50 people that the overall price to buy and renovate the building is “more than I thought.”

While the exact figure is still unknown, “every day it seems to cost a little more.” The latest expense is bringing the building up to code — required when the use changes. In this case, a rezoning application has been filed to allow church use, which will go before city council on March 7.

Reimer said he learned this week they will have to re-insulate the building, which could drive costs up substantially from his original overall estimate of $2.1 million. It will also slightly reduce the size of each second floor apartment.

Reimer told the audience he has never met or spoken directly to the seller, and it is strictly a business deal at this point.

When the floor was opened to questions, Kelly Toole of the nearby Victoria Falls Guesthouse said he liked the vision but was concerned about how the proposal would fit that end of Baker Street.

“It’s a very shaky balance keeping the downtown core vibrant,” he said. “Most downtowns in interior B.C. are not places that generate a business feeling.”

He worried it would “make it harder to make a living downtown.”

“When I first heard about it, I thought great, I know there’s a need. But when it comes down to your own business, it makes you think: is this going to affect us?”

Reimer stressed the proposal was not a homeless shelter or transition house but up to 17 single-room occupancy units for permanent tenants. One resident would be designated a night watchman.

He said it would be no different than the apartments above Baker Street businesses, and that it should in fact help make the downtown more vibrant.

“Tenants are going to be there a long time,” Reimer said. “If I get the building it’s going to be good for downtown.”

He also noted businesses like Still Eagle are thriving in close proximity to Stepping Stones shelter.

After the meeting, Toole said while he remains “somewhat worried about upsetting the balance,” he feels better about the proposal.

“I’m less worried about it now than I was. There’s no way to know for sure. If it goes through, we’ll find out what happens.”

Michael Graham, who lives nearby on Victoria Street, wondered whether there would be any green space for tenants to congregate, and whether any infrastructure was in place to address mental health and drug addiction issues.

Reimer replied they have zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol, or aggression at the Our Daily Bread lunch program on Stanley Street, and that would continue to be the case at the new facility. Anyone causing a disturbance would be asked to leave.

He said although they do have mental health workers who can help, the people who would live in the units would not necessarily be mentally ill — they may be seniors on low income. Although there would be common areas in the building, the plans do not include a green space.

“We will do whatever it takes to make it a community asset,” he said, adding that Our Daily Bread has been “very successful in a residential area by running a tight ship.”

He said he didn’t anticipate changing locations would increase demand for the hot lunch program, which presently feeds about 50 people per day.

One man said the building used to be home to two bars and a busy hostel, so by comparison he couldn’t see how 17 units would create a problem.

Another suggested $3 million was a huge price for a modest amount of housing.

Reimer agreed, but said starting from scratch would be even more expensive.

Kootenay Christian Fellowship has offered to buy the building, but needs to raise $1 million by April 15 to demonstrate their ability to complete the deal.

They’ve launched a campaign called Square Foot to Freedom, and are collecting donations online at sqft2freedom.com. A second campaign, A Million to Provide a Million, will use social media to encourage a million people to donate $1 each.

Reimer says they need to own the building to qualify for grants from BC Housing and other agencies. He also called it a “dealbreaker” if the building can’t be made self-sustaining. A business plan is in the works.BUSINESS OWNER WORRIES ROOMS MAY BE FOR MEN ONLYIf the proposal to redevelop the Savoy Hotel goes ahead, will the single-occupancy units only be available to men?

A nearby business owner said Thursday the suggestion was made at an earlier meeting limited to neighbours.

Pastor Jim Reimer had no firm answer, saying a decision hasn’t been made and it’s something to discuss with other agencies.

While he has no problem with renting units to both men and women, he said some people feel unisex housing would lead to fewer problems.

But the woman said she was baffled it was even being considered.

“It’s a really important question whether women will be allowed to stand in line for a room,” she said. “I feel it’s discriminatory to turn them away. I’m not comfortable with that.”

She planned to meet with Reimer privately.

The studio apartments would range from 156 to 240 square feet and each have their own bathroom. They would rent for about $450 per month.

CORRECTION: This story originally contained an incorrect website address for the Square Foot to Freedom campaign.