Project Context
The City of Rossland, in partnership with the Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society, hired CitySpaces to review development options for a vacant former railyard in the Midtown neighbourhood of Rossland. The site had partially been remediated, but there were still limitations to future development potential.
CitySpaces supported the City and Housing Society in developing a project team to complete site due diligence, prepare a project concept, and then apply for funding with a compelling Business Case. The project was approved under the BC Housing and Columbia Basin Trust Investment in Affordable Housing funding program and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund.
The resulting Rossland Yards Project is a mixed-use building with 37-units of affordable workforce housing on three levels and a new City Hall on the ground floor. The rental units are a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedrooms, addressing the need for rental housing for families and individuals. The project is a precedent-setting use of municipal lands to meet both civic and affordable housing policy objectives, in addition to being designed to the highest level of the BC Energy Step Code.
CitySpaces' Role
CitySpaces Consulting was hired by the Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society, in partnership with the City of Rossland, to undertake a Feasibility Study, which then led to a full development consultant contract for managing the project. Our team supported site analysis, developed budgets and cashflow analysis, secured approvals for funding, consulted with the community for rezoning of the site, and oversaw the construction of the project as the Owners’ Representative.
The Rossland Yards Project commenced construction in Summer 2021 and was completed in 2023.
Design & Development Highlights
Thanks to the strategic planning of the City of Rossland, the project was not only able to achieve affordable rental rates, but also reach BC Energy Step Code Step 4, which is also classified as Net Zero Ready for mixed-use building types.
Impact
The project sets a precedent in the use of municipal land to fulfill both civic and affordability goals. Following the roof collapse of the old municipal hall, the need for a new City Hall space became a key community infrastructure priority. By incorporating affordable housing above City Hall, the project also helped address the community’s tight rental market.
Areas of Expertise
Facilitation + Engagement
Visioning & Project Concept
Partnership Generation
Feasibility & Business Cases
Owner’s Representative & Project Management
Construction Administration
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