Nanaimo, 502 & 505 Howard Ave – Te’tuxwtun

A modern multi-story building with extensive use of glass and horizontal wooden slats on its facade.

Overview

Te’tuxwtun (pronounced Tey-tux-tun) is a proposed large-scale development of the 5.8-acre site in the Harewood neighbourhood of Nanaimo spanning the Fifth Street Corridor (564 Fifth Street, 502 and 505 Howard Avenue). Te’tuxwtun, which means “grandmother of all surrounding mountains,” is the traditional name for Mount Benson, which overlooks the community and holds an important place in Snuneymuxw culture.

The proposed development is a unique collaboration between Snuneymuxw First Nation, BC Housing, the City of Nanaimo, and Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (known as the Knowledge Partners). Building on the diversity and values of the Knowledge Partners, Te’tuxwtun will create much-needed affordable housing, recreation facilities and accessible services while respecting the land and realizing its full potential.


Project Vision

The Knowledge Partners shared a draft development concept plan called The Te’tuxwtun Vision in 2023. This document was informed by significant local engagement and is inspired by the community’s shared wisdom. The draft design includes:

  • Publicly accessible open space: a central outdoor courtyard for planned and unplanned activities

  • Community Gathering Space: a community-use space with a range of amenities. Ideas include a Great Hall for cultural events and gatherings that could open onto a large, outdoor plaza

  • Childcare: a childcare facility in the community space

  • Rental housing: 34 non-market rental homes to replace the Sanala homes, plus 356 new rental homes across three buildings including both affordable and market rental. Additionally, 432 new underground parking stalls to serve new residents and visitors

  • Alternative-learning school: the first of its kind in Nanaimo, operated by the Nanaimo Ladysmith School District

  • Traffic Calming: potential upgrades to Howard Avenue that propose traffic-slowing measures, more street parking, and the option to be closed off for major community events

  • Stormwater management: sustainable features which could include roof water collection, constructed wetlands/ponds, streetside greenery, and on-site detention/storage tanks

Aerial view of a town with buildings and a parking lot, surrounded by forested hills partially obscured by low-lying clouds.

Community Engagement

Phase 1: Connecting and Understanding

In early 2022, over 350 community members were brought into the conversation, including tenants of existing affordable housing and Harewood neighbours. Read more about the Phase 1 engagement in our Te’tuxwtun What We Heard Report.

Phase 2: The Te’tuxwtun Vision

In Spring 2023, the Knowledge Partners shared The Te’tuxwtun Vision and gathered feedback. This draft development concept plan was inspired by the community’s shared wisdom. The Te’tuxwtun Vision provides us with an important starting point as we move through the City of Nanaimo’s approval process.

Phase 3: Parkland Dedication Removal / City Plan Amendment / Rezoning

Nanaimo City Council passed first and second readings of the Official Community Plan amendment and re-zoning applications on August 28, 2023.

The Alternative Approval Process to gain permission from residents to remove parkland dedication from 502 Howard Avenue began on September 6, 2023.

A public hearing with the City of Nanaimo took place on December 14, 2023. The project received unanimous support from council.

The intent of the hearing was to approve:

  • Requests for parkland dedication removal
  • An application to amend the Official Community Plan (City Plan)
  • Rezoning for subject properties to allow for the development

For more information about the hearing, please visit the City of Nanaimo’s website.

We welcome your thoughts about The Te’tuxwtun Vision as well as any questions about this ongoing project. Reach out any time by emailing communityrelations@bchousing.org.

Overview

Te’tuxwtun (pronounced Tey-tux-tun) is a proposed large-scale development of the 5.8-acre site in the Harewood neighbourhood of Nanaimo spanning the Fifth Street Corridor (564 Fifth Street, 502 and 505 Howard Avenue). Te’tuxwtun, which means “grandmother of all surrounding mountains,” is the traditional name for Mount Benson, which overlooks the community and holds an important place in Snuneymuxw culture.

The proposed development is a unique collaboration between Snuneymuxw First Nation, BC Housing, the City of Nanaimo, and Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (known as the Knowledge Partners). Building on the diversity and values of the Knowledge Partners, Te’tuxwtun will create much-needed affordable housing, recreation facilities and accessible services while respecting the land and realizing its full potential.


Project Vision

The Knowledge Partners shared a draft development concept plan called The Te’tuxwtun Vision in 2023. This document was informed by significant local engagement and is inspired by the community’s shared wisdom. The draft design includes:

  • Publicly accessible open space: a central outdoor courtyard for planned and unplanned activities

  • Community Gathering Space: a community-use space with a range of amenities. Ideas include a Great Hall for cultural events and gatherings that could open onto a large, outdoor plaza

  • Childcare: a childcare facility in the community space

  • Rental housing: 34 non-market rental homes to replace the Sanala homes, plus 356 new rental homes across three buildings including both affordable and market rental. Additionally, 432 new underground parking stalls to serve new residents and visitors

  • Alternative-learning school: the first of its kind in Nanaimo, operated by the Nanaimo Ladysmith School District

  • Traffic Calming: potential upgrades to Howard Avenue that propose traffic-slowing measures, more street parking, and the option to be closed off for major community events

  • Stormwater management: sustainable features which could include roof water collection, constructed wetlands/ponds, streetside greenery, and on-site detention/storage tanks

Aerial view of a town with buildings and a parking lot, surrounded by forested hills partially obscured by low-lying clouds.

Community Engagement

Phase 1: Connecting and Understanding

In early 2022, over 350 community members were brought into the conversation, including tenants of existing affordable housing and Harewood neighbours. Read more about the Phase 1 engagement in our Te’tuxwtun What We Heard Report.

Phase 2: The Te’tuxwtun Vision

In Spring 2023, the Knowledge Partners shared The Te’tuxwtun Vision and gathered feedback. This draft development concept plan was inspired by the community’s shared wisdom. The Te’tuxwtun Vision provides us with an important starting point as we move through the City of Nanaimo’s approval process.

Phase 3: Parkland Dedication Removal / City Plan Amendment / Rezoning

Nanaimo City Council passed first and second readings of the Official Community Plan amendment and re-zoning applications on August 28, 2023.

The Alternative Approval Process to gain permission from residents to remove parkland dedication from 502 Howard Avenue began on September 6, 2023.

A public hearing with the City of Nanaimo took place on December 14, 2023. The project received unanimous support from council.

The intent of the hearing was to approve:

  • Requests for parkland dedication removal
  • An application to amend the Official Community Plan (City Plan)
  • Rezoning for subject properties to allow for the development

For more information about the hearing, please visit the City of Nanaimo’s website.

We welcome your thoughts about The Te’tuxwtun Vision as well as any questions about this ongoing project. Reach out any time by emailing communityrelations@bchousing.org.

Your feedback and comments are important to us.

We welcome questions and comments below in the Q&A.

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Page last updated: 17 Apr 2025, 02:23 PM