FAQs

The City has purchased and will be redeveloping several properties on the 1300-block of Shoppers Row into purpose-built rental housing with a variety of unit types (studio apartments to 3-bedroom units), with commercial, retail and civic uses on the ground level that will invigorate and animate Shoppers Row and 13^th Avenue.

The primary focus of this project is to advance Campbell River’s downtown revitalization. It will also address Campbell River’s less than 1% vacancy rate through the addition of around 200 middle-income rental units and improve the sense of safety along Shoppers Row.

Downtown is the cultural center of Campbell River and Shoppers Row is the heart of downtown. This area was selected because its potential for economic growth, existing infrastructure and its central importance to the community. It is our hope that revitalizing this space will have positive ripple effects on surrounding neighborhoods.

Alongside its provincial partners like BC Housing and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the City has completed vulnerability assessments for all tenants and continues to match tenants with housing that reflects their needs. To date, the City has found homes for 30 residents, and we continue working to match the remaining tenants with appropriate housing that reflects their needs and with the necessary supports that they did not have access to at the Harbourside Inn. Of the remaining tenants, it is anticipated that several will transition to Long Term Care, led by Island Health, and several will transition into supportive housing run by BC Housing. The City has also allocated funding that can be used for relocation assistance and rent subsidies if required. 

Staff continue to meet and work with Hem'?aelas Community Kitchen and Kwesa Place to confirm zoning compliance for proposed properties for relocation and to respond to any requests. Earlier this year, the City hosted a workshop with other community food providers with the hope that there would be an opportunity to better coordinate or collaborate on service delivery. If the operators were able to identify a new location, the City would work to expedite application processing if an application did not comply with the City’s Zoning Bylaw. City staff and contractors are continuing to explore opportunities to close any service gaps that may be created, such as promoting the shower services currently offered at the Community Centre.

The acquisition and development of a mixed-use, purpose-built rental project on the City’s “Main Street” is in direct alignment with the 2023-2026 Council Strategic Plan, OCP and Downtown Refresh Plan (“Refresh”).

This has been a priority of many Councils for many years, and the current Council is focused on actively driving it forward during their term; it is the culmination of years of behind-the-scenes work that we can finally announce to the public.

The City is working to revitalize Downtown Campbell River, increase its livability, animate its streets and reinvigorate its role as a vibrant community and cultural hub. The redevelopment of Shoppers Row aims to revitalize the downtown area, attract new businesses, increase rental housing supply and provide more public spaces to improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

The City purchased the select properties in the 1300-block of Shoppers Row for $10.6 million, using a portion of the $10.4 million in funding from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). Grants, such as the HAF, and City reserve funds will also be used to advance this project with no direct impact to taxation.

The redevelopment is designed to boost the local economy, offer more housing options and establish an attractive, vibrant downtown that draws residents and visitors alike.

Approximately 200 units are in the initial plan, though the exact number will be determined by the final design.

A variety of unit types including studio apartments to 3-bedroom units will be available for middle income earners.

Yes, there will be commercial, retail and civic uses on the ground level. The City will share more details as the project progresses.

Community feedback is welcome! You can use the ‘Who’s Listening’ section of this page to reach out to City staff. There will be community pop-ups taking place throughout the summer. Check back on this page to see updates on confirmed dates.