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.

City staff met with the Laichwiltach Family Life Society, which operates Hem'?aelas Kitchen and Kwesa Place, ahead of purchasing the Harbourside Inn in December 2024. The City noted that tenancies would remain in place for seven more months, until June 30, 2025, to allow the groups an opportunity to find a new location or explore opportunities to consider changes to service delivery. Staff continue to meet and work with Hem'?aelas Community Kitchen and Kwesa Place to confirm zoning compliance for proposed relocation properties and to respond to any requests. 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.

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.

Yes, the Downtown Safety Office will be relocated to 1235 Shoppers Row, the same building as the Art Gallery, until construction is completed.

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.