Revelstoke – 420 Downie Street Affordable Housing


BC Housing has purchased the property at 420 Downie Street to build new housing for people in need. The Revelstoke area has a shortage of affordable housing with few options for low-income workers and families with children. A 2018 study showed that the Revelstoke area is short hundreds of rental units.

BC Housing plans to build affordable housing to help families, seniors and young people working in the area. This is an opportunity for the community to develop a plan for bringing affordable housing to the area. BC Housing will be working together with local residents, the City of Revelstoke, and future partners on a plan for the site. The community will be kept up to date on engagement opportunities as the planning process moves forward.


Preliminary Image Only – Subject to Change

Community Engagement

Community Engagement Update – April 2022

On April 12, 2022, the rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment passed final reading at Revelstoke City Council. The project team will be working on design development and preparing to submit a development permit for the first phase of construction in the coming months. Further engagement will be through the City’s public open house process. In the meantime, please submit your questions in the Q&A below.

Community Engagement Update – March 2022

On February 8, 2022, the rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment passed first and second reading at Revelstoke City Council. As part of the municipal approval process, the applications will go to public hearing on March 8, 2022. You can find more information about the public hearing at https://revelstoke.ca.

Community Engagement Update - August, 2021

BC Housing submitted the rezoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment application on May 13, 2021. The Advisory Planning Commission reviewed the applications on July 20, 2021.

BC Housing is also in the process of engaging with non-profits, major employers and different organizations to explore potential partnership opportunities for the project.

Community Engagement Update – March, 2021

We thank all who participated as we created a development strategy for the Downie Street site. We have reviewed all the feedback data and analysed design and financial assessments in efforts to align all interests and provide the best delivery model to Revelstoke, and most notably the Southside community. A Community Engagement Summary that reflects the outcomes of community engagement and municipal planning consultation is now available in the Document Library section.

Community Engagement Sessions

Community Engagement Session #1 - February 27, 2020

The first of three community engagement sessions was held on February 27, 2020 at the Revelstoke Community & Aquatic Centre. Community members were invited to drop in at the session to learn more about the site, ask questions of project staff, and share their thoughts on the future of affordable rental housing at 420 Downie Street. Information was presented at the session through project display boards.

Community Engagement Session #2 - June 10, 2020

Community members were invited to attend this virtual session to learn more about three concept plans, ask questions and provide comments. Information was provided in an online presentation and feedback received informed the final concept plan presented in the third engagement session.

Community Engagement Session #3 - September 30, 2020

Community members were invited to attend the third online community engagement session to explore the final concept site plan. This plan has been developed based on feedback received at the two previous community engagement sessions and from the surveys received following those sessions.



BC Housing has purchased the property at 420 Downie Street to build new housing for people in need. The Revelstoke area has a shortage of affordable housing with few options for low-income workers and families with children. A 2018 study showed that the Revelstoke area is short hundreds of rental units.

BC Housing plans to build affordable housing to help families, seniors and young people working in the area. This is an opportunity for the community to develop a plan for bringing affordable housing to the area. BC Housing will be working together with local residents, the City of Revelstoke, and future partners on a plan for the site. The community will be kept up to date on engagement opportunities as the planning process moves forward.


Preliminary Image Only – Subject to Change

Community Engagement

Community Engagement Update – April 2022

On April 12, 2022, the rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment passed final reading at Revelstoke City Council. The project team will be working on design development and preparing to submit a development permit for the first phase of construction in the coming months. Further engagement will be through the City’s public open house process. In the meantime, please submit your questions in the Q&A below.

Community Engagement Update – March 2022

On February 8, 2022, the rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment passed first and second reading at Revelstoke City Council. As part of the municipal approval process, the applications will go to public hearing on March 8, 2022. You can find more information about the public hearing at https://revelstoke.ca.

Community Engagement Update - August, 2021

BC Housing submitted the rezoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment application on May 13, 2021. The Advisory Planning Commission reviewed the applications on July 20, 2021.

BC Housing is also in the process of engaging with non-profits, major employers and different organizations to explore potential partnership opportunities for the project.

Community Engagement Update – March, 2021

We thank all who participated as we created a development strategy for the Downie Street site. We have reviewed all the feedback data and analysed design and financial assessments in efforts to align all interests and provide the best delivery model to Revelstoke, and most notably the Southside community. A Community Engagement Summary that reflects the outcomes of community engagement and municipal planning consultation is now available in the Document Library section.

Community Engagement Sessions

Community Engagement Session #1 - February 27, 2020

The first of three community engagement sessions was held on February 27, 2020 at the Revelstoke Community & Aquatic Centre. Community members were invited to drop in at the session to learn more about the site, ask questions of project staff, and share their thoughts on the future of affordable rental housing at 420 Downie Street. Information was presented at the session through project display boards.

Community Engagement Session #2 - June 10, 2020

Community members were invited to attend this virtual session to learn more about three concept plans, ask questions and provide comments. Information was provided in an online presentation and feedback received informed the final concept plan presented in the third engagement session.

Community Engagement Session #3 - September 30, 2020

Community members were invited to attend the third online community engagement session to explore the final concept site plan. This plan has been developed based on feedback received at the two previous community engagement sessions and from the surveys received following those sessions.


Q&A

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  • Please do not approve a four storey housing complex. Two main reasons: a) It will make traffic a nightmare on 4th street. b) It will completely dominate the skyline and destroy that visual harmony of the area. Please reconsider the size of the building and the number of units you approve. Don't just pass the vote to get the numbers of housing in. Think of the infrastructure needs that will accompany this build and think of the local aesthetics too.

    George B asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your suggestions and feedback. It has been passed on to the project team for inclusion in their summary report to City Council.

  • When is the start date to start building at 420 Downie St, Revelstoke BC.

    KatrinaNelson asked almost 2 years ago

    The rezoning application for this project was submitted last month and we are working through the approvals process with the City of Revelstoke. There is no specific construction start date yet as we still need to obtain rezoning entitlement and permits as well as develop a detailed design. 

    Construction start is estimated to be in 2023 with a phased building approach. This timeline will be confirmed when more information is available.

  • How long will be BCH be accepting comments on this project? When is the deadline for submitting questions/comments? Also, does BCH have a timel;ine for when they expect to submit a rezoning application to the City of Revelstoke for this property? Thanks.

    Alan Mason asked almost 2 years ago

    Hello Alan,  

    BC Housing reviewed all the feedback data from the consultative sessions and developed this summary.  

    We are still working through timelines for this project but please keep checking our website for updates.  

    Sincerely,  

    Emma 

    BC Housing Community Relations Team 

  • Is there any updates as to when the buildings are actually going to be built and families starting to be housed? It’s well past the provincial election, when is this getting done?

    LanaM asked about 2 years ago

    We have completed the initial engagement for this project to understand community goals for the site and what is possible for us to build.

    With this information, we are now doing more financial analysis, considering the design, and working with the City of Revelstoke on meeting regulatory requirements for the site including rezoning.

    We recognize the need for this housing in Revelstoke and are working to move this project forward.

    There is still lots of work to do and it will take time. We will update this page with further timelines once we have more information. Please stay tuned.

  • So 60% of the respondents are in favor of the 2 smaller options. Why not do a final round survey with the two most popular options? This high density project will be in a medium/low density residential neighborhood.

    Vince asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for your comments, Vince.   

    Feedback from the engagement sessions and surveys has provided valuable input into the design so far. However, the next piece is to move forward in the municipal rezoning process, where there will be further opportunity to provide feedback.  

    We are still finalizing the options while taking survey results and community needs into consideration.   

    We will post further updates on progress on our Let’s Talk site.   

  • Hi, I live within 100 metres of this proposed development and I am concerned with the way the engagement sessions are increasingly straying from the originally proposed plans. The first two sessions had many questions deflected with ‘too early to know’ and ‘we’ll wait for the feedback’. The feedback came in favour of high density but this does not mean the sky is the limit. Originally the highest building was suggested at 4 stories and even that feels tall based on the drawings. Now you are asking how we feel about 5+ stories. Being in favour of high density living to help as many residents as possible does not mean this opens the door to a 5 + story concept. I thought the intent was to balance low income housing while integrating it into the existing community landscape, but the most recent engagement notes have me concerned that feedback is being mis-understood and interpretive liberties are being used. Anything more than a 4 story building will greatly impact and strain the capacity of the community. This is less a question and more a concern that I hope you can address.

    Marta asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for your comments. We appreciate your engagement in this process.  

    The most recent plan for the Downie Street project has used feedback from previous engagement sessions and surveys and does include several options including a five-storey option. More information on the most recent consultation can be found here.   

    We are fine-tuning the final concept, which we can now take forward into the next stage of the process – municipal rezoning. We will submit our application to the City of Revelstoke in support of the proposed site rezoning, which is required to accommodate housing on the site. There will be further opportunities to comment and provide feedback on design through this process as well.  

  • Why has the scope of this project expanded to include 5-storey buildings? In the second engagement session and survey, the community was presented with 3 density options. The high density plans incorporated 4 storey plus underground parking. This would already drastically change the landscape of the Southside Community and now the project is being pushed to 5 storey structures.

    MSavill asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for your comments. The most recent plan for the Downie Street has included a 5-story option for discussion. More information on the most recent consultation can be found here.   

    Feedback from the engagement sessions and the surveys is being used to fine-tune the final concept. Through the municipal rezoning process there will be additional opportunities to provide comments and input, which we will continue to share on our Let’s Talk webpage. Please continue to check our website.    


  • Is there any concern for pedestrian and vehicular interface when in the webcast playback it is mentioned that motorists will be encouraged to go through the more quiet routes? As it stands on the Sibald side of the development this would mean that the entrance/egress would encourage increased traffic on Sibald, Townley and Taylor streets. These areas have a high number of young families with 2 or 3 kids each. There are no sidewalks in the area and it would seem like an important community safety concern to address adding to the number of potential interfaces.

    Concerned for kids asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for reaching out and for sharing your feedback regarding the design.  

    Community engagement so far has provided us with great input that we can now go forward in the next stage of the municipal rezoning process, where the design will be further developed, including integration with the surrounding neighbourhoods, building heights and traffic.  

    Through the municipal process there will be additional opportunities to provide comments and input as to the site layout and designs, which we will continue to share on our Let’s Talk webpage. Please continue to check our website.    

  • Will there be underground parking or carports in this development. The winters can be difficult for seniors, especially the kind of winter we are experiencing now.

    Shelby Harvey asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question and consideration. We are early in the engagement process and have made no decisions with respect to parking for tenants. The project team will review all parking options with consideration given to climate, functionality and cost.

  • Hi, I live across the street at 803 4th St E and wasn't able to attend the 1st session as I was out of town. My questions: 1) Are these strictly low-rental units or will it be mixed residency, owner occupied? 2) Are these units being built to house 'short-term' tenants or will 'leases' (ie: 1 year) be required? 3) What will the rules be regarding BnB and VRBO, whether rental or owner-occupied? 4) Once built, who will be the managing body of this low-housing project? In other words, who is to be contacted for any suggestions and/or concerns? 5) Can you please provide the potential layout? Type of buildings? Height of buildings? # of units? It's imperative that the units blend into the Southside community to ensure property values remain in tact as well as ensuring it doesn't take on a 'ghetto'ing' appearance. 6) What type of parking is being provided? Underground? 7) A coffee shop located near Southside Market would be much appreciated. Any plans on this? 8) What are the plans for Green space as it's especially needed for children and seniors. Any plans on this? I'm sure I'll have additional questions but these are a start. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Regards, Terri Devlin 250-837-2651 (landline) 778-828-9727 (mobile)

    terrid asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your questions. We are early in the engagement process and have made no decisions with respect to tenants, owners, operators or housing form. All of the feedback we are receiving through the engagement sessions, surveys and website will help to shape development of site concepts, which we will share with the community soon for feedback. We’re also working with the City of Revelstoke on opportunities and constraints for the site, including zoning, site servicing and traffic.

    To date, feedback has been gathered on several aspects including building size/height, green/public space, and commercial space (suggestions from the public included ideas such as a coffee shop, daycare, and health care).

    We recognize the strong need for affordable rental housing in Revelstoke and are working to ensure density is adequate for the need and for the site. Information about upcoming opportunities to provide feedback will be posted to this site soon. We hope to see you at the next public engagement session.


Page last updated: 08 Dec 2022, 01:02 PM