A representative from Thoughtexchange attended Tuesday night’s council meeting to request that council show support for a mixed-use commercial and residential building on the midtown lands site, also known as the old Emcon lot.
Thoughtexchange had sent a letter to the City of Rossland, updating council and staff on its efforts to pursue a mixed-use building on the site.
“Following review of the Midtown Transition Lands Development Analysis Preliminary Report, Thoughtexchange held exploratory meetings with potential commercial tenants (doctors and other related practitioners), development and investment interests to pursue a multi-purpose commercial and residential space,” the letter read.
The letter ends by requesting that council both “go on record with support for a mixed-use development in lieu of the Preliminary Report’s recommendation towards a strictly residential development” and make “a motion to officially support Thoughtexchange’s efforts to date, further exploration of a mixed-use development and bringing the appropriate parties to the project.”
Darin Recchi, community development and talent initiatives at Thoughtexchange, attended Tuesday night’s meeting to address the matter with council.
Mayor Kathy Moore responded by explaining that council is already pursuing a mixed-use building on the midtown lands site.
“We’re going out to get some additional work done by a development consultant and I think it’s fair to say that, that is our interest, and partly because there’s been such strong interest expressed by Thoughtexchange to need to expand. We value the company in the community, we like to encourage growth and you guys are growing, so that’s good,” she said.
But Moore declined to make a motion of official support for Thoughtexchange’s efforts.
“In terms of a motion to officially support the efforts to date for the exploration of a mixed-use development and bringing the appropriate parties to the project, I think it’s too soon to say that. I mean anyone that we contract with as a development consultant, which we’re actively pursuing now, would be in contact with you,” she said.
In regards to the residential aspect of the building, Moore said that the city has had conversations with the Columbia Basin Trust and BC Housing.
“They’re very interested in working with us on this project and they’re interested in both the commercial and residential — trying to see how that could work. They wanted us to get a development consultant, which we are actively pursuing based on some recommendations that they had,” explained Moore.
Possible opportunity to develop heritage management plan
Jackie Drysdale from the Rossland Heritage Commission informed council that the Columbia Basin Trust has established a $660,000 capacity building arm in its heritage fund and Drysdale believes that the city has a strong chance of being approved for funding to create a Rossland Heritage Properties Management Plan.
Mayor Moore said that council would need to learn more before deciding to move forward with an application.
Council approves 2018 meeting schedule
Monday, Jan. 8
Monday, Jan. 22
Tuesday, Feb. 13
Monday, Feb. 26
Monday, Mar. 12
Monday, Mar. 26
Monday, Apr. 9
Monday, Apr. 23
Monday, May 7
Tuesday, May 22
Monday, June 11
Monday, June 25
Monday, July 16
Monday, Aug. 13
Tuesday, Sept. 4
Monday, Sept. 24
Tuesday, Oct. 9
Monday, Oct. 22
Tuesday, Nov. 13
Monday, Nov. 26
Monday, Dec. 10