The city and the regional district are working together to study planned growth in Nanaimo’s northernmost urban hub.
The City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo, in a joint press release, announced they have received a $200,000 provincial grant directed by the Union of B.C. Municipalities “to fund an assessment in support of the Woodgrove area becoming a complete community.”
Mayor Leonard Krog said the intention is to provide more housing, improved transportation options and services and amenities within walking distance while also fostering a sense of community.
“The concept behind a complete community is quite simple – create well-planned neighbourhoods that allow people to live, work, and access services close to home,” he said in the release. “Beyond the concept though, there’s a lot of complexity and a grant like this is a great step towards making complete communities happen.”
Nanaimo’s city plan already identifies the Woodgrove area as one of seven urban centres targeted for density and walkable distances to shops, services, employment and public transit. The release noted that the urban centres will be “where the majority of the city’s future growth will be focused.”
The RDN added that its transit redevelopment strategy designates the Woodgrove area as a key transportation hub with a “major transit exchange that acts as a gateway between the south and north of the region.”
The grant money will fund an assessment that the city and region say will inform land-use decisions and plans for transportation and infrastructure improvements and explore other opportunities to create a more “compact, complete and accessible” neighbourhood.
READ ALSO: Nanaimo reimagined with new city plan
READ ALSO: City of Nanaimo’s draft official community plan now ready for review