Who the heck would want to live at the old Northern Linen site? I don't even think it gets any sun!
IMO, in our Northern climate that is a very important selling feature.

If this Townhouse development is a go, we can hope that the developer/ engineer looks at the big picture and sets a president, establishing this development as visitable housing. This will increase not only the sale rental factor but help the downtown core become inclusive for everyone.

http://www.concretechange.org/
http://www.measureupthenorth.com/

Here I thought downtown revitalization would be about business and not residential. Now the area will need rezoning, and resident parking. Talk about a square peg in a round hole.

C1 allows for just about anything but heavy industry. No rezoning will be needed for residential development.

Hopefully it goes ahead.
Once there is a nice residential presence their will be stronger commercial support. Its a start.

what is 'visitable housing'?

That building isn't an ideal location for housing, but the downtown in general sure needs it. Having quality housing downtown is the best first step. Gotta start somewhere.

I agree, we have to start somewhere. The location may not be the greatest, but who knows, downtown office workers may be thrilled to find nice housing within walking distance.
metalman.

"visitable" housing is the new euphemism for "accessible" housing and prior to that "handicap accessible" housing.

Isn't the world a wonderful place when we have to change the English language just to get around our fears and by doing that making communication more difficult over time?
http://www.concretechange.org

To make a downtown townhouse "visitable" one would need to install a lift to go from one floor to the next.

I think they should be LEEDS approved also, and alarmed, and operable shutters on the windows and doors.

Build a hotel on top of a few floors of offices and then residences above. At least they would get the advantage of havng a great view and remoteness from the stree ---------- and it would be "visitable".

So Mr. CA$INO, just where are those homes that were to be built at the CHANCE$ site?......HUH?

Business and residential would be a good mix for downtown. Other cities have achieved success with this. I remember False Creek when it was toxic sludge and Yaletown when it was a run-down light industrial area. Anything is possible guys!

caranmacil .....
Visitability or Visitable housing is ....

41 communities in Northern British Columbia have come
together and adopted the concept of visitability. It dictates
that you must be able to have anyone with any disability ( this project is not entirly directed at wheelcahair users it is inclusive of Seniors ) visit your
home for a period of three to four hours with no problem. That means
there should be a washroom on the ground level, the front
entranceway cannot have stairs ( no step entry) and the doors should be wide enough
to accommodate a wheelchair. THAT IS IT. THREE CONCEPTS. (No lift needed.) Therefore,
all new housing in those 41 communities will be required to have
visitability standards right at the beginning of construction in order
that ANYONE can comfortably go to any home for a
visit.
Hey all we are all getting older :)
And everyone knows at least one senior that can benift from this Northern initiative.

"Sets a president"? LMAO

ooops!

Precedent:)

If my memory serves me right the owner of Northern Linen used to live somewhere on 2nd Avenue years and years ago, not far from his present business location. Maybe he is going to take a trip into the past, and live out his life in that area, and sell the other townhouses to relatives etc; Who knows.