The City of Burnaby is hosting virtual workshops next week and in August to gather the public’s input on a plan to densify the Bainbridge neighbourhood.
The first event is on July 22 and if you click here, you can register for the event and find out more about what’s proposed as the city moves to phase 2 of its consultations.
Why is this important? Well, it will fundamentally change this neighbourhood forever if it’s approved. You might think in good ways or you might think in bad ways, so let your voice be heard if you want this or you don’t.
What’s proposed is turning the Bainbridge area, as well as Lochdale, into “urban villages” that will mean adding more density – a lot of it. Burnaby currently has Metrotown, Edmonds, Lougheed and Brentwood designated as the four city centres that see the bulk of new development. These urban villages appear to be smaller-scale versions of this.
They are ambitious plans and the landing page talks a lot of about adding community spaces and amenities, which is good. But let’s make no mistake, there is a lot of money at stake with these lands.
The Bainbridge area is located between Brentwood and Lougheed Town centres, north of Burnaby Lake and east of Still Creek. The community is anchored by the Sperling-Burnaby Lake SkyTrain Station adjacent to Lougheed Highway, and borders Burnaby Lake Regional Park.
Next to the SkyTrain station is the Saputo dairy plant, which is moving to Port Coquitlam after the land was sold to a developer for a whopping $200 million, which may actually be a bargain based on today’s real estate market.
Next to that property is land owned by Telus, which tried to sell it developer Polygon in 2019 for $175 million before the deal fell apart and both sides starting suing each other.
So, that’s $375 million for just two properties. Imagine what the rest is worth if opened up for development.
I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I do support densifying areas to add to the housing stock and it makes sense to build near transit.
Hopefully, Burnaby will make these changes the right way. That’s where you come in. Your voice is needed to help shape these plans.
As part of the Urban Village, the plan will present a range of opportunities for the area, says the city, including:
- new public spaces, community services and amenities for residents
- an expanded mix of market and non-market housing options
- new local employment opportunities
- the future transformation of industrial lands
- change and reinvestment as the existing building stock ages
- the creation of a multi-modal transportation hub
- the accommodation of regional growth
- the enhancement of the natural environment
- a carbon neutral community by 2050
Those are some bold plans for Bainbridge. Like I said, check out the city’s page on this, watch the video that has been produced and lend your voice at these virtual workshops.
Because changing Bainbridge and Lochdale appears to be going ahead with or without your voice.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
