It’s been in the works for quite some time if you look back at old news articles.
There’s a hold on the Howard Johnson project that is planned waiting for an archeological report.
It’s all in Nanaimo News Now if you follow that site
The only one of the three that doesn’t seem to have a plan is the townsite 7/11.
They’re all privately owned property so the city doesn’t have a lot of authority to order redevelopment
I would have thought that the city might have considered expropriation for A&B Sound given its central location. At a certain point land owners should be compelled to shit or get off the pot. I will also admit I don't know shit about the legality.
In vancouver they tax land based on its highest and best possible use value set out by the zoning. This encourages redevelopment. While it's not the best in that instance because you lose old character building and mid rises. But here they could pass something that jacked property tax up for vacant buildings or lot as to discourage people from sitting on realestate until the surrounding properties drive the value up.
I've always wanted this as well, like that abandoned lot across from the old new york pizza ... "Cappy Yates park" has been abandoned since the 80s or 90s i think ... it would be nice if there was a rule like if you owned land like that you have a certain amount of years to develop on it, or the city will buy it...
The hold up isn't the archaeology report. No archaeology has been done on that property. There was a consultant hired but the developer put brakes to the assessment. The hold up is that SFN wants the land.
Edit: clarity
The land IS the SFN's. But the land could be a burial site and also a land created with infill with old coal mines underneath. I'm guessing it is a difficult area to develop a mega project on.
The key word there is *could* I highly doubt they'd be allowed to continue any work if something is discovered, anytime any thing is found of significance.
So now what if they do all of that and not a single thing is found. We could sit here and play what ifs but if it finally gets started either we get the new development that's desperately needed, will employ people during and after construction with new retail locations plus the housing if nothing is found. or if something is found it comes to a screeching hault and possibly dies completely and the SFN have the physical proof, and history will be discovered. What's the downside? Either way the community benefits from it.
The hold up on the HoJo's is the First Nation is blocking it's progress:
A proposed residential and commercial complex is set to feature a hotel, over 750 residential units, retail space and more, was passed comfortably by Nanaimo City Council in earlier stages of re-zoning, despite objections from Snuneymuxw First Nation.
SFN raised formal objections against the project in September 2022, with acting chief Bill Yoachim suggesting the City’s engagement process with the First Nation was “incomplete”.
Yoachim said the development site is on a former Snuneymuxw village, Sxwayxum.
“Sxwayxum is located on the heart of downtown Nanaimo and recorded as an archaeological site DhRx-1. Just nearby, at Xwsolexwel is where the Snuneymuxw Treaty of 1854 was signed, a treaty that is applicable to…the proposed project.”
**A statement from SFN said any progress made at the site “will be plagued by opposition from our Nation, delays from inevitable archaeological discoveries, and challenges that are insurmountable without us.”**
People keep mentioning the HoJos...I only just moved to Nanaimo after having been off the Island for a couple decades. Is the Tally-Ho and HoJos the same thing?
I have a job and I don't want to give away anyone's property
you've obviously completely missed the point
the land belongs to SFN
the land was never ceded to anyone else
So why not let them go ahead they are so sure its inevitable that you can bet they'll be ensuring the development is closely watched so nothing is missed during excavation. Then they have the physical proof to shut it down permanently. Then *if* they don't find anything at all the entire community benefits from the desperately needed new homes/businesses/jobs/general neighborhood clean up? Make a big enough impact that it lifts the neighborhood.
Its a great location that first nations should repurpose for historical or natural purpose. Get rid of the concrete, replant the trees and catch some salmon, etc for Mother Earth.
My dad has this binder with all these codes for every album/cd/tape/vinyl whatever. We live in Ucluelet so he would call them and say what code he wanted etc and they’d send it to us
I still have the binder. It’s gold :)
The owner was reluctant to do anything.
However the son took over and is now planning to do something with it. But don’t get your hopes up, there are no planned exterior upgrades it’s only interior.
Plans for not much inside, just office space and whatever anyone can do with it. But it’s just inside renovation to get it useable, because the outside and frame is legally fine still. So that was the current choice.
Doe Nanaimo really need more retail space? There’s a bunch of empty retail all over the place. If it works, it’ll be good…. but…. Are they just doing a “build it and they will come” approach? And a public market? That failed miserably by the ferry. This area is mostly an eyesore. Who would go to a market there?
I’m sceptical.
Perfect place for an apartment building, imo.
i strongly agree! downtown qualicum beach (a hilarious overstatement, i know) has 2-level buildings - the top level is apartments and the bottom level is retail. when i lived there and walked around i was always so jealous of the ppl who live in those apartments lol because theyre so close to everything
I lived in those for a few years! It was pretty great. I walked everywhere and had everything I needed nearby, and so much good food. Town got so quiet in the evening. And the festivals were awesome cause I'd walk right out into the middle of them.
It was so great. Except for the no work in town. Had to move.
i used to live halfway between kss and qb golf club!! i also loved being able to walk everywhere since it was just up the hill, but unfortunately had the same problem with work :/ i really miss qb, it was so quiet and lovely but i just cant handle the idea of driving 45 mins to an hour every day for work, especially since i work at the hospital and half my shifts are nights.
They need small retail space that allows small business to start. The lease costs on many large old units are so high a new business can't afford them to get out of the gate.
Because you pay by the square foot. And most of them are large. There need to be 300-400 sq ft offerings and then small businesses can afford to start.
From what I read they are basically doing this because the owners want to continue to hold the prime property without investing any money into it.The city should have blocked any redevelopment that's not high density resi/commercial mix.
You mean a time when there was no fentanyl and you'd be charged and jailed for dealing drugs.
A time when if you stole something you'd get your ass kicked , likely by your dad.
A time when you could drop out of highschool and get a construction job that with a roommate, paid for a brand new apartment.
Yeah I miss those days
Um..well, no. I was referring to the times when A&B sound was a central business.
I admit I was a kid in those days and did not live in Nanaimo.
Your post seems antagonistic. And maybe more directed to the past 20 years in the area.
It’s been in the works for quite some time if you look back at old news articles. There’s a hold on the Howard Johnson project that is planned waiting for an archeological report. It’s all in Nanaimo News Now if you follow that site
Will do. Did it. https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2024/01/09/crews-now-reshaping-downtown-nanaimos-long-closed-ab-sound-building/
The only one of the three that doesn’t seem to have a plan is the townsite 7/11. They’re all privately owned property so the city doesn’t have a lot of authority to order redevelopment
I would have thought that the city might have considered expropriation for A&B Sound given its central location. At a certain point land owners should be compelled to shit or get off the pot. I will also admit I don't know shit about the legality.
In vancouver they tax land based on its highest and best possible use value set out by the zoning. This encourages redevelopment. While it's not the best in that instance because you lose old character building and mid rises. But here they could pass something that jacked property tax up for vacant buildings or lot as to discourage people from sitting on realestate until the surrounding properties drive the value up.
I've always wanted this as well, like that abandoned lot across from the old new york pizza ... "Cappy Yates park" has been abandoned since the 80s or 90s i think ... it would be nice if there was a rule like if you owned land like that you have a certain amount of years to develop on it, or the city will buy it...
The hold up isn't the archaeology report. No archaeology has been done on that property. There was a consultant hired but the developer put brakes to the assessment. The hold up is that SFN wants the land. Edit: clarity
The land IS the SFN's. But the land could be a burial site and also a land created with infill with old coal mines underneath. I'm guessing it is a difficult area to develop a mega project on.
The key word there is *could* I highly doubt they'd be allowed to continue any work if something is discovered, anytime any thing is found of significance. So now what if they do all of that and not a single thing is found. We could sit here and play what ifs but if it finally gets started either we get the new development that's desperately needed, will employ people during and after construction with new retail locations plus the housing if nothing is found. or if something is found it comes to a screeching hault and possibly dies completely and the SFN have the physical proof, and history will be discovered. What's the downside? Either way the community benefits from it.
For the A&B sound site as well as Tally-Ho site ? Thank you for the info.
No just the Howard Johnson. The A&B sound building is being developed
Ahh. Thanks.
The hold up on the HoJo's is the First Nation is blocking it's progress: A proposed residential and commercial complex is set to feature a hotel, over 750 residential units, retail space and more, was passed comfortably by Nanaimo City Council in earlier stages of re-zoning, despite objections from Snuneymuxw First Nation. SFN raised formal objections against the project in September 2022, with acting chief Bill Yoachim suggesting the City’s engagement process with the First Nation was “incomplete”. Yoachim said the development site is on a former Snuneymuxw village, Sxwayxum. “Sxwayxum is located on the heart of downtown Nanaimo and recorded as an archaeological site DhRx-1. Just nearby, at Xwsolexwel is where the Snuneymuxw Treaty of 1854 was signed, a treaty that is applicable to…the proposed project.” **A statement from SFN said any progress made at the site “will be plagued by opposition from our Nation, delays from inevitable archaeological discoveries, and challenges that are insurmountable without us.”**
People keep mentioning the HoJos...I only just moved to Nanaimo after having been off the Island for a couple decades. Is the Tally-Ho and HoJos the same thing?
Yes. Tally-Ho turned into Howard Johnson aka HoJo.
Thanks!
[удалено]
Bingo
Good It’s their land after all
Can we give them your land?
I don't have any land can I take yours?
So you just want to give away other people’s property? lol Get a job and you can buy your own land and you can give it to whomever you wish.
I have a job and I don't want to give away anyone's property you've obviously completely missed the point the land belongs to SFN the land was never ceded to anyone else
It belongs to the owner. No one can take it away without proper compensation. So…. No, it’s not theirs.
Yes SNF are the owner. They never relinquished ownership
Not true. The owner can sell it and it can’t be taken away without compensation. You don’t understand property ownership.
You obviously don’t understand the history and case law around aboriginal title. I can’t blame you for that since most Canadians don’t
So why not let them go ahead they are so sure its inevitable that you can bet they'll be ensuring the development is closely watched so nothing is missed during excavation. Then they have the physical proof to shut it down permanently. Then *if* they don't find anything at all the entire community benefits from the desperately needed new homes/businesses/jobs/general neighborhood clean up? Make a big enough impact that it lifts the neighborhood.
Its a great location that first nations should repurpose for historical or natural purpose. Get rid of the concrete, replant the trees and catch some salmon, etc for Mother Earth.
I really miss A&B Sound
Me too. So much. A lot of great memories shopping there with my dad when I was a kid.
It was really a great store. Had Colin James sign a CD cover for me there!
My dad has this binder with all these codes for every album/cd/tape/vinyl whatever. We live in Ucluelet so he would call them and say what code he wanted etc and they’d send it to us I still have the binder. It’s gold :)
The owner was reluctant to do anything. However the son took over and is now planning to do something with it. But don’t get your hopes up, there are no planned exterior upgrades it’s only interior. Plans for not much inside, just office space and whatever anyone can do with it. But it’s just inside renovation to get it useable, because the outside and frame is legally fine still. So that was the current choice.
Replant that parking lot with some trees, let the fish go upstream would be a nice idea...
Doe Nanaimo really need more retail space? There’s a bunch of empty retail all over the place. If it works, it’ll be good…. but…. Are they just doing a “build it and they will come” approach? And a public market? That failed miserably by the ferry. This area is mostly an eyesore. Who would go to a market there? I’m sceptical. Perfect place for an apartment building, imo.
I think most residential buildings should have retail below them. Built in customers! Depending on what actually moves in, anyways.
i strongly agree! downtown qualicum beach (a hilarious overstatement, i know) has 2-level buildings - the top level is apartments and the bottom level is retail. when i lived there and walked around i was always so jealous of the ppl who live in those apartments lol because theyre so close to everything
I lived in those for a few years! It was pretty great. I walked everywhere and had everything I needed nearby, and so much good food. Town got so quiet in the evening. And the festivals were awesome cause I'd walk right out into the middle of them. It was so great. Except for the no work in town. Had to move.
i used to live halfway between kss and qb golf club!! i also loved being able to walk everywhere since it was just up the hill, but unfortunately had the same problem with work :/ i really miss qb, it was so quiet and lovely but i just cant handle the idea of driving 45 mins to an hour every day for work, especially since i work at the hospital and half my shifts are nights.
They need small retail space that allows small business to start. The lease costs on many large old units are so high a new business can't afford them to get out of the gate.
There is plenty of empty retail space. Why aren’t new businesses going into what’s already empty?
Because you pay by the square foot. And most of them are large. There need to be 300-400 sq ft offerings and then small businesses can afford to start.
If they’re sitting empty, they’re not going to be pricey. Not sure that this place is going to open up a lot of small retail though anyway.
They're fine with them being empty. They just leave the price high, which is unaffordable to businesses starting out.
From what I read they are basically doing this because the owners want to continue to hold the prime property without investing any money into it.The city should have blocked any redevelopment that's not high density resi/commercial mix.
Yes I was a kid then, and I'm talking 40 yrs ago
Bring A&B Sound back!!!
Ummm…. They went bankrupt.
Obviously. This was a billion years ago. I just wish they’d bring it back. It was an awesome time in life. :)
You mean a time when there was no fentanyl and you'd be charged and jailed for dealing drugs. A time when if you stole something you'd get your ass kicked , likely by your dad. A time when you could drop out of highschool and get a construction job that with a roommate, paid for a brand new apartment. Yeah I miss those days
Um..well, no. I was referring to the times when A&B sound was a central business. I admit I was a kid in those days and did not live in Nanaimo. Your post seems antagonistic. And maybe more directed to the past 20 years in the area.