Reimagine the Row

This rendering is shown for illustration purposes only and may not be the exact representation of the final development.

The City of Campbell River has strategically acquired properties in Downtown Campbell River, beginning with 1302 Shoppers Row (Downtown Safety Office) in 2023, and most recently adding 1342, 1352 and 1362 16th Avenue to that land assembly. The intention of these purchases and their subsequent redevelopment is to increase the sense of vibrancy and safety downtown and develop mixed-use, purpose-built middle-income rental housing that helps address the City’s low rental vacancy rate. In addition to housing, the City envisions a variety of commercial, retail and civic uses at the ground level of the development that aims to invigorate and animate both Shoppers Row and 13th Avenue.

The purchase of the properties directly supports City Council’s 2023-2026 strategic priorities, Downtown Refresh (“Refresh”) and the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP), which place a significant emphasis on the revitalization of the downtown core through the development of mixed-use buildings that include residential and commercial spaces.

About the Project

Downtown is the heart of Campbell River. It’s the cultural center of our community. It’s where we come together as neighbours and friends. It continues to be a priority for the social and economic well-being of the City.

The purchase of the Shoppers Row properties aims to address:

• Downtown Reinvestment – The City investing in downtown signals to private investors that they have a strong vision and intend to work with the private sector in its revitalization. Initial efforts have intentionally focused on Shoppers Row as the epicenter of downtown reinvestment and with the goal of seeing revitalization continue to expand outwards.
• Housing – Campbell River has less than 1% apartment vacancy rate, and the development of purpose-built rental housing with a variety of unit types (studio apartments to 3-bedroom units) for middle income households will create a significant amount of additional housing downtown
• Community Safety – The City purchased the Downtown Safety Office in 2023, and the purchase of the additional properties is a continuation of our plan to build Shoppers Row into a hub in the cultural heart of the community. The new building is intended to house the Downtown Safety Office and be a space where residents can speak to Bylaw Enforcement Officers about neighbourhood concerns, while also being a hub for Bylaw’s regular downtown patrols and clean-up work.
• Vibrancy and Livability – There are opportunities to implement strategic urban design initiatives that enhance the character and sense of place downtown while reanimating its streets, increasing its livability and expanding affordable housing supply within walking distance of key amenities.

The rendering shown is for illustration purposes only
and may not be the exact representation of the final development.

Other City of Campbell River Initiatives

Acquiring properties on Shoppers Row is just one step the City is taking to revitalize our downtown. We are also:

• Working with neighbours to complete clean-ups
• Increasing RCMP and Bylaw presence (four new RCMP and two Bylaw positions have been approved this year)
• Developing a community safety and wellness plan – we will be reaching out later this year to engage on this plan
• Working with the Province, through BC Housing, to deliver new temporary housing units with support services at 1299 Homewood Road

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