Residents near a proposed not-for-profit seniors housing complex have mixed feelings about what the Spruce Street building will mean for their troubled neighbourhood.
The 27-unit, three storey apartment is up for third reading Monday night before council, which has already passed first and second reading.
The building's next-door neighbour, and owner of a duplex, was unequivocal that the building would be "good news."
"I am wholeheartedly in support for that project. The location is perfect with amenities so close at hand," Andy Wilhemsen wrote to council, adding a new sidewalk would be good for walkers or scooters.
"I think it will add stability to the area economically and socially. Big hoorah from me!"
M'akola Development Services for the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George is asking that the seven lots they own at 1811 Spruce St. be rezoned to mid-rise residential, as some are in the multiple residential category.
It will be an independent-living approach, with one-bedroom units, suitable for singles or couples 55 years and older with anticipated ground breaking in the spring of 2017, said its executive director Leo Hebert in a previous interview with The Citizen.
Meanwhile, the managing partner of Ave Maria said the area has some significant "social and criminal issues" and a need for more security.
"We would request that council encourage the new owners to add increased lighting and manage the property in such a way to reduce the opportunity for criminal elements and drug users to loiter in the area," wrote Dave Fuller, adding he hoped the investment in the property would help the area.
Si Transken, who has lived with her husband on Spruce Street for eight years and has acted as vice president of the strata there, said she wasn't convinced the proposal is an excellent idea.
"Our area is already somewhat congested and complicated by a high density of low income and mobile people," wrote Transken, who has taught social work and gender studies for 16 years at UNBC.
That said, if the project moves forward, Transken offered council a few suggestions.
The speed limit should be lowered and more speed bumps added. She also asked for more consistent enforcement around garbage pick up, arguing the large bins aren't picked up often enough and "absentee landlords" let things pile up.
"This becomes the couches, chairs and tables for the fires and nests that homeless people use in the alleys."
Lighting is needed on both alleys on each side of Spruce Street, too.
"There are always people in these zones doing drugs, drinking, yelling, setting fires, littering, trashing the fences, defecating/urinating, spray painting fences," she wrote.
"Bright lights will encourage more safety for all of us," she wrote, adding she feels unsafe walking home from the bus late at night after work.
If council and the owners take steps to improve the area, "then maybe this could be a huge relief... for all of us and create a better community for all of us - including our newest 27 neighbours."
-- with files from Christine Hinzmann
