Fire station with supportive housing? Edmonton councillors support unique project
A plan to combine a new fire hall with 64 units of supportive housing in southeast Edmonton received an early thumbs up from councillors Tuesday.
The Walker Fire Station was originally planned to be a standalone building on Ellerslie Road and Watt Boulevard SW, but a city committee unanimously approved the redesign to include affordable housing above the fire hall.
"I think we need to look at all the opportunities and options that are available for us to create more supportive, permanent supportive housing as well as affordable housing," Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said after the vote.
The change will increase the cost of the project from $24.5 million to $55.7 million.
The plans still need approval from council and setting aside money for it will be part of budget discussion in the fall.
City administrators looked at other projects in Calgary, Vancouver and in the United States and concluded that the concept "has a high likelihood of success."
A recent survey found there are at least 2,800 people without shelter in Edmonton.
The project could be completed as soon as 2027, and would include space for EMS as well.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and Councillors Tim Cartmell, Michael Janz, Keren Tang and Jo-Anne Wright all voted in favour of moving the plan forward.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.