The provincial government announced the purchase of two parcels of land in Saanich and changes in policy in an effort to build more transit-oriented affordable housing developments.

On Monday, April 8, Premier David Eby, along with Transportation Minister Rob Fleming and Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock, announced the new housing planned at the Uptown area of Saanich.

B次元官网网址淔or way too long, government has seen transit infrastructure like a solar eclipse, something they didnB次元官网网址檛 want to look directly at,B次元官网网址� said Eby. B次元官网网址淚 am incredibly excited to be here today, to be standing at the heart of what will be the provinceB次元官网网址檚 first, transit-oriented development with housing, hundreds of units with amenities, public amenities, including improvements to trails and public spaces.B次元官网网址�

The two land parcels, which are next to the Galloping Goose Trail and close to more than 10 bus routes, were bought through the Ministry of Transportation and InfrastructureB次元官网网址檚 $394 million property acquisition fund laid out in the 2023 budget.

The first property, currently occupied by Budget Rent-A-Car on Harriet Road, was purchased for $7.5 million, and the second, previously occupied by Ryzuk Geotechnical, cost just over $1.8 million.

Eby said in the past, when the government spent money on additional transit, property values that are adjacent to the transit quickly rose, and those who use and depend on transit are often priced out of living closest to it.

In addition to the new government development, the province will also expedite permitting for housing and development near transit hubs.

While plans for the site are still in early development, the proposal will be in alignment with SaanichB次元官网网址檚 Uptown-Douglas Plan, which includes multiple buildings with hundreds of housing units, public gathering spaces, active-transportation connections, retail and commercial space, and potential for amenities, such as child care, community-health facilities and educational services.

B次元官网网址淪aanich has long known the potential of this significant corridor which really sits at the crossroads of the South Island,B次元官网网址� said Murdock. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 close to regional trails, it facilitates connections to those travelling from the West Shore, from the Peninsula, from downtown or towards the University of Victoria, and it is a key transportation and mobility hub. ItB次元官网网址檚 a perfect location for high-density transit-oriented development.B次元官网网址�