Exploring Civic Redevelopment

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The District owns two large properties with aging buildings requiring replacement. The 2021/22 Strategic Plan highlighted the need for a study, now underway, to explore redevelopment. The study seeks to find ways the sites can best contribute to the vision for the growing community by providing needed community amenities and diverse housing opportunities, in addition to municipal facilities.

The properties include 1903 Mt Newton Cross Rd, home of the Municipal Hall, Police Services and Fire Hall #2 (built more than 60 years ago), and 1703 Keating Cross Road, home of the Municipal Yard. All of the buildings require replacement in

The District owns two large properties with aging buildings requiring replacement. The 2021/22 Strategic Plan highlighted the need for a study, now underway, to explore redevelopment. The study seeks to find ways the sites can best contribute to the vision for the growing community by providing needed community amenities and diverse housing opportunities, in addition to municipal facilities.

The properties include 1903 Mt Newton Cross Rd, home of the Municipal Hall, Police Services and Fire Hall #2 (built more than 60 years ago), and 1703 Keating Cross Road, home of the Municipal Yard. All of the buildings require replacement in the near future to address seismic and accessibility deficiencies and meet post-disaster standards.

This is an opportunity that only comes around once every 50+ years to reimagine public spaces and design multifunctional buildings that enable us to provide more amenities and integrate space for needed services in our community.

The District is exploring options to redevelop the site to better use the land to benefit the community by creating new housing, services and amenities.


  • Background

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    Background

    Since 2006, the District of Central Saanich has been exploring the feasibility of redeveloping its Saanichton Village property at 1903 Mt Newton Cross Road where the Municipal Hall, Police Service office and Fire Station 2 are located. The site is located in the heart of Saanichton Village and is used solely for civic functions. It is a significant and underutilized community asset with redevelopment potential due to the aging building, which was built in 1965, almost 60 years ago.

    Municipal Yard, at 1703 Keating Cross Road, is also past its useful life; the building was built in 1973 and no longer functions efficiently. The site is zoned as ‘industrial’ land, which is currently in high demand. The property has more land than required and therefore unused market potential.

    Timeline:

    • In 2006, the District began to review options for the Municipal Hall redevelopment, which included the Fire and Police Stations.
    • In 2009, the Fire Station was selected as the priority and Fire Station #1 was built at the new location at 1512 Keating Cross Road; it was completed in 2012. (Fire Station #1 debt will be repaid in 2025.)
    • In 2012, an open house was held to present redevelopment plans for 1903 Mt Newton.
    • In 2014, Council considered options for 1903 Mt Newton Cross Road, including the sale of approximately 3 acres for market residential and mixed-use commercial. Council directed that staff plan to expedite repayment of Fire Station #1 debt and postpone any further work on redevelopment of the Municipal Hall site until the Fire Hall debt was closer to being paid off.
    • In 2021, a feasibility study for replacement or renewal was identified in the District’s 2021-2022 Strategic Priorities.
    • In 2023, the District of Central Saanich feasibility began a study for the replacement or renewal of key municipal facilities: the Municipal Hall including Police Services and Fire Hall #2 and the Municipal Works Yard.

    These facilities are identified in the District’s Facilities Long-term Asset Management Plan (FLAMP) as requiring major rehabilitation or replacement in the next five years.


Page last updated: 27 Oct 2023, 04:34 PM