VICTORIA – The first rezoning submission for Victoria’s Arts and Innovation District will be viewed by Victoria City Council on April 18.
Reliance Properties has applied to develop 6.7 acres in the district, located in the north end of Victoria’s downtown, as the Capital Iron Lands.
“The Capital Iron Lands are underutilized with few job spaces, no homes and an inactive waterway. We designed a comprehensive smart-growth community that manifests Victoria’s 3.0 Vision of a ‘future-ready global influencer and innovator,’” said Reliance Properties CEO Jon Stovell in a statement.
“Our proposal offers limitless economic growth potential and spinoff benefits that will ensure the district is unique, attractive and exciting for arts, innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The development will incorporate the site’s three heritage buildings into homes, live-work artist studios, a reopening of the Capital Iron store and public outdoor and cultural amenities, including an extension of the waterfront walkway and a new public plaza adjacent to the proposed art gallery, a release said.
Local company Finest at Sea Ocean Products is looking to relocate to the Upper Harbour along most of Capital Iron Lands’ 400 feet of water frontage and has engaged support from the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. They are now waiting for approval from Transport Canada.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) also plans to relocate to a prominent site contributed by Reliance as a public benefit.
“As a major public art museum in B.C., moving to a vibrant new space in a central district dedicated to arts and culture will create enhanced opportunities for Victoria residents and visitors to access our collections, programs and exhibitions,” AGGV director and CEO Nancy Noble said in a statement.
The district was originally rezoned by the City of Victoria four years ago.
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