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Boyle Street health hub scrapped in Old Strathcona

The Strathcona Concerned Citizens group rallying outside the proposed health hub in Ritchie on Saturday April 1, 2023. (CTV News Edmonton/Marek Tkach) The Strathcona Concerned Citizens group rallying outside the proposed health hub in Ritchie on Saturday April 1, 2023. (CTV News Edmonton/Marek Tkach)
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After more than two years of preparation and pushback, plans for a new health hub in Old Strathcona have been scrapped.

The new Boyle Street Community Services health hub will not be going ahead on 101 Street and 81 Avenue, the Alberta government confirmed to CTV News Edmonton on Thursday.

The hub would have provided harm reduction services – including an overdose prevention site – as well as recovery and treatment services, health care and housing referrals.

It has faced ongoing pushback from some in the community, who questioned the location of the hub.

Both Boyle Street and the minister of mental health and addiction declined interviews on Thursday.

In a statement, the minister's press secretary said Boyle Street withdrew its application for the health hub after the City of Edmonton revoked permits for the facility.

"As development permits have been repeatedly denied or revoked by the city’s Subdivision Appeal Board, Boyle Street is no longer moving forward with their application and Alberta’s government is no longer providing funding for the opening of a new drug consumption site in the Strathcona area," Hunter Baril said in the statement.

The hub previously had its Class A development permit revoked in June 2023, due to accessibility concerns, but it was reapproved as a health service that November after floor plans were updated.

On the health hub's website, it reports that notices of approval for the hub were sent to surrounding communities by the city on Nov. 29 last year.

The city said in a statement that the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) overturned and refused the permit on June 5, 2024.

That decision, according to the SDAB, was due to the development authority failing to satisfy two zoning bylaw regulations.

Specifically, the failure to follow city council's direction to enhance safety and natural surveillance of the parking area and to consult with the Heritage Planner on proposed renovations to the existing false facade.

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