Latest news with #BeverlyBusinessAssociation
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Business association walks back opposition to Beverly Motel transitional housing project
The Beverly Business Association has changed its tune on a transitional housing project the association previously said it would "firmly oppose." The association submitted an appeal against the project's permit, arguing it would "significantly damage" revitalization for 118th Avenue. At the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board on Thursday, a representative said the association board now has faith in the project. Alex Bosker, BBA executive director, said while the association would prefer a commercial space on the lot, under the current circumstances, the transitional housing project is "the best possible option for the Beverly Motel space." Bosker said the association board wanted to send a message about protecting commercial districts from residential projects. "Our board felt the need to carry this appeal … to set a precedent for the next one that may come along to rezone and put in something potentially less organized with real consequences to our community," Bosker said. SDAB officials clarified that the lot is zoned for mixed use, making the project compliant with the zoning. 'I'm genuinely confused,' owner says The Native Counselling Services of Alberta and the landowner said the appeal was an unnecessary drain on public resources. "I'm genuinely confused by the circumstances we find ourselves in here today," Mohamed Ahmed, the owner said. "One must wonder, is this appeal truly about principle or is it just performance?" Blake Jackman, NCSA's director of housing, said the original launch date was scheduled for July 2, and the delays created by the appeal have led to approximately $200,000 in federal and provincial funding being lost. "But beyond dollars and cents, the human cost of this delay is real," Jackman said. "Staff are trained and ready to work. Individuals who could be housed remain without stability in the Beverly community, living in back alleys, storefronts, parks, yards and streets." The project had received 17 letters of support from community members, politicians and local businesses. Another concern brought forward in the written appeal was not being able to collect a business levy from a residential project in the district. But Jackman said this concern was never raised in engagements between NCSA and the BBA — and they have since committed to paying the levy for up to five years. A member of the public, Joshua Goldberg, spoke in favour of the project and said many years ago he was homeless, but now lives and shops in the area. "I've been trying to understand … why on earth anyone would object to this project." Goldberg suggested the BBA withdraw their appeal. "There are other ways to make a point," he said. When given the opportunity to respond, representatives from the BBA had nothing further to add. The SDAB will submit a written decision on the appeal in 15 days.
Global News
5 days ago
- Business
- Global News
Edmonton business community appeals Beverly Motel affordable housing project
The Beverly Business Association made an appeal to Edmonton city council's decision to turn the Beverly Motel on 118th Avenue into the supportive housing. On Thursday, businessman Alex Bosker presented on behalf of the association to Edmonton's subdivision and development appeal board. He said the association is concerned that the city changed the commercial lot to residential. Bosker claimed if anyone can step in, rezone and build a residential space in the heart of their business strip it won't be a robust district anymore. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Native Counselling Services of Alberta, who is spearheading the project, said the supportive housing units will help revitalize the area, stressing it won't be a drop-in centre but a place of healing. The appeal board has 15 days to make its decision. Story continues below advertisement Prior to December 2023, the motel was home to several long-term residents, but they were forced to move when the building underwent much-needed renovations. 1:34 Long-term Edmonton motel guests searching for a home for the holidays Sarah Komadina has more details in the video above.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Edmonton business association opposes plan to turn Beverly Motel into transitional housing
An old motel in Edmonton's Beverly neighbourhood, once known as a problem property, could become transitional housing on 118th Avenue — if it can overcome the pushback. Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) received a permit to convert the former Beverly Motel into a transitional housing project with 17 units. Now, it faces an appeal from the Beverly Business Association and must go to Edmonton's Subdivision and Development Appeal Board later this month. In a letter to the SDAB, the business association said the project will make the street less safe, less walkable and less attractive to the public and investors. "We strongly feel that a supportive housing project for persons escaping addiction will directly and significantly damage the important work that our association is undertaking to revitalize 118th Avenue," the letter says. Converting the building into housing also bars the business association from collecting a levy from the property, the letter said. "It stems more from fear than facts," Blake Jackman, NCSA's director of housing, told CBC News. Jackman described the appeal as unfortunate. The area has a lot of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness, he said, and the NCSA has been in talks with the business association about the project since its early stages. "It's between people remaining unhoused in their community and their alleys, in their parks, in their streets, or living safely in a supportive, recovery-oriented and professionally-managed environment until they can secure permanent housing," he said. The former motel has been newly renovated and the NCSA plans to run an abstinence-based program that allows people to stay for up to six months. The project received funding from the federal and provincial governments. The NCSA, which operates other transitional and supportive housing in Edmonton, has a track record of being good community members, Jackman said. "I know some neighbourhoods do feel like they're taking on more of the burden than other neighbourhoods are — and I'm not saying that's untrue," he said. "But we do believe that the Beverly community is in need of services to support them, with the encampments they have." In a statement to CBC News, Beverly Business Association executive director Alex Bosker said the organization would like to see the project go elsewhere. "Our board feels our business district is not the appropriate location for such a project, and that it would be more suitable to open their program outside of a specially levied business area," Bosker said. Beverly resident Chani Sunley said the former motel was "an eyesore" when she first moved into the area. But from she has heard, the housing project would greatly improve the motel site. Homeless people are living in the neighbourhood, and Sunley would rather see them living under a roof, with access to support, she said. "Right now, it's so hard, because where do people go? You just shuffle them along," she said. "We know that's what's happening." The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, an independent municipal tribunal, will consider the business association's appeal at a hearing on July 24.
CBC
07-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Edmonton business association opposes plan to turn Beverly Motel into transitional housing
An old motel in Edmonton's Beverly neighbourhood, once known as a problem property, could become transitional housing on 118th Avenue — if it can overcome the pushback. Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) received a permit to convert the former Beverly Motel into a transitional housing project with 17 units. Now, it faces an appeal from the Beverly Business Association and must go to Edmonton's Subdivision and Development Appeal Board later this month. In a letter to the SDAB, the business association said the project will make the street less safe, less walkable and less attractive to the public and investors. "We strongly feel that a supportive housing project for persons escaping addiction will directly and significantly damage the important work that our association is undertaking to revitalize 118th Avenue," the letter says. Converting the building into housing also bars the business association from collecting a levy from the property, the letter said. "It stems more from fear than facts," Blake Jackman, NCSA's director of housing, told CBC News. Jackman described the appeal as unfortunate. The area has a lot of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness, he said, and the NCSA has been in talks with the business association about the project since its early stages. "It's between people remaining unhoused in their community and their alleys, in their parks, in their streets, or living safely in a supportive, recovery-oriented and professionally-managed environment until they can secure permanent housing," he said. The former motel has been newly renovated and the NCSA plans to run an abstinence-based program that allows people to stay for up to six months. The project received funding from the federal and provincial governments. The NCSA, which operates other transitional and supportive housing in Edmonton, has a track record of being good community members, Jackman said. "I know some neighbourhoods do feel like they're taking on more of the burden than other neighbourhoods are — and I'm not saying that's untrue," he said. "But we do believe that the Beverly community is in need of services to support them, with the encampments they have." In a statement to CBC News, Beverly Business Association executive director Alex Bosker said the organization would like to see the project go elsewhere. "Our board feels our business district is not the appropriate location for such a project, and that it would be more suitable to open their program outside of a specially levied business area," Bosker said. Beverly resident Chani Sunley said the former motel was "an eyesore" when she first moved into the area. But from she has heard, the housing project would greatly improve the motel site. Homeless people are living in the neighbourhood, and Sunley would rather see them living under a roof, with access to support, she said. "Right now, it's so hard, because where do people go? You just shuffle them along," she said. "We know that's what's happening."
