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Under the prescriptions and stipulations of the City of Vancouver’s Broadway Plan, there will be 542 secured purpose-built rental homes, including 428 market rental units and 114 below-market rental units, based on the requirement of setting aside at least 20% of the residential rental units at below-market rents. The unit size mix is 233 one-bedroom units, 149 two-bedroom units, and 58 three-bedroom units.

When asked, the applicants told City Council there could be an opportunity to provide some dedicated rental housing for the hospital’s doctors, nurses, and other staff.

Existing condition:

Future condition:

There will be about 16,000 sq. ft. of retail/restaurant uses, providing an active street frontage along Kingsway — continuity for the retail strip. As well, the project will provide a 4,600 sq. ft. childcare facility for up to 37 kids.

“I think this application represents a win for the neighbourhood and for the businesses. It’ll activate this corner that’s just been a parking lot,” said Neil Wyles, the executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association.

ABC city councillor Peter Meiszner said, “I think this is a significant amount of rental housing and no displacement… I think it’ll be great for the small businesses in Mount Pleasant.”

ABC city councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung made some comments suggesting she is displeased with the project’s architectural design, going as far as calling it “not an inspiring building.” The design firm is Acton Ostry Architects.

Both towers on a shared base podium will generate a combined total building floor area of about 450,000 sq. ft., establishing a floor area ratio density of a floor area that is 8.5 times larger than the size of the lot.

Four underground levels will contain 297 vehicle parking stalls and 1,059 secured bike parking spaces, serving the residents, commercial uses, and childcare facility. These figures do not include any replacement parking capacity to serve the hospital’s needs.

About five years ago, QuadReal acquired the parcel from Providence Health Care in a deal worth about $29 million.

According to City staff, the parking lot is currently leased back by the hospital for staff, patients, and visitors. Providence Health Care, the owner and operator of the hospital, has plans to accommodate the parking needs after the lease is terminated. At this time, those plans have not been specified.

Some local residents told City Council they are concerned the reduction of on-site parking — at a hospital that currently has limited dedicated parking facilities — could lead to increased demand for curbside street parking in the surrounding neighbourhood.

The site is well served by public transit, including frequent buses along Kingsway and Main Street, and is a 10-minute walk from SkyTrain’s future Mount Pleasant Station at the intersection of Main Street and East Broadway.

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