After six years sitting derelict, the burned out remains of the Finlayson building bordering Chinatown may be granted new life -- pending the tone of a public hearing Thursday (April 28).

Those concerned or supportive of the five-storey proposal are invited to attend the 7:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall.

Anthem Properties proposes a mixed-use development which restores the brick facade fronting Johnson Street. The development would also recreate the narrow historic Theatre Alley. Once a passageway to a Chinese theatre, the new alley would serve as a mid-block passage to Fisgard Street. Victoria city staff support the development permit application, despite a request for a height variance of 2.3 metres beyond the 15-metre allowance. In 2001, the 1881 building at 517 Fisgard St. was protected through Heritage Designation. In 2005, a fire destroyed the building.

rholmen@vicnews.com