A new proposal, if it goes ahead, would bring some significant changes to Columbia Square in Downtown New Westminster—though the City of New Westminster has noted that these development suggestions are in the early stages as it “requires additional details from the applicant,” as stated in the council workshop agenda for June 12.

The site, also referred to as 88 Tenth St, and discussed at Monday’s council workshop, would include six to eight towers, a mix of market rental and strata condos, a daycare, office, retail, and green space. EDGAR Development (EDGAR) says it will be making heavy use of the nearby New West SkyTrain station—and the area will be a pedestrian-only, car-free community. Parking will be available, though it’ll be underground.

“Columbia Square will deliver approximately 2,400 homes, including roughly 300 purpose-built market rental and 300 affordable rental,” the developer tells New West Anchor in a statement, adding that it is looking to build an estimated 1,000 rental homes overall—accounting for 44% of the total homes in the project.

The city has also asked EDGAR to discuss with the New West School District the options for bringing another school to the area. The school district has mentioned time and again that it is dealing with crowding at a number of its schools, including the ones in the Downtown core. This, along with more affordable market and rental housing, were part of the requests made by the City before moving ahead with the development.

“Current population estimates for the proposal include an estimated 4,000 to 7,250 residents of which 280—530 are estimated to be school aged children,” the report by city staff reads. “Given the project would bring significant growth to the downtown, and as the site is large enough to offer a potential opportunity for an urban school location, staff has indicated to the applicant that they need to work with School District 40 to understand school space needs and determine if there is an opportunity for the project to accommodate an urban school.”

The City of New Westminster says it’s been told by the proponent there will be a minimum of 11,150 square metres—or 120,000 square feet—of office space on site.

The developer’s portfolio includes a number of clients in Alberta and in BC. BC projects include The Duke in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, and The Portwood in Port Moody.

“We are the second pedestrian-only, master-planned community to be launching in the Greater Vancouver Area this year, and we are really excited to be creating this new neighbourhood with a significant amount of new, much-needed housing, no cars at grade, amenities and green space,” said Peter Edgar, President of EDGAR, calling this development “the future of master-planned communities.”

“What’s being proposed is truly innovative in terms of how we live,” adds Mark Thompson of MCMP Architects. “Columbia Square today is car-oriented and suburban, and what we are proposing is a new people- oriented community with vehicles directed underground. By enhancing the character, quality and experience of the area, we will provide a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown with this new gateway to the downtown core.”

“This will be an inviting space for both residents and the public with terraced parks leading to a central green with mature trees that will eventually become another urban forest for the City,” says Derek Lee, Principal at PWL Partnership Landscape Architects.

The businesses that are currently in Columbia Square will be transferred over to the new space once it’s completed, with EDGAR promising to “minimize impact” to them as the project is built.

As for when the project should be completed—that hasn’t been set in stone yet. EDGAR will need to work with the city to make sure it fulfills some of the previously mentioned requirements.

Early thoughts from mayor, councillors

During the Monday afternoon workshop, a number of councillors expressed concerns about whether EDGAR would be able to create housing that can be offered to a variety of residents.

For Couns. Nadine Nakagawa and Tasha Henderson, they both, in their own ways, stressed the importance of making sure that the minimum requirements of housing, related to non-market housing.

“I have to see enough non-market housing in this development to want to see it go forward,” she stated.

For Coun. Henderson, along with concerns about non-market housing, she noted that EDGAR had included something that appeared to look like a waterpark in its sketches. She wanted to know if that was actually going to happen. While the developer noted that there was a discussion about there being some kind of water or rainwater management feature, it was something that would be considered.

In turn, Henderson asked EDGAR representatives to be more concise in their renderings.

Coun. Ruby Campbell wanted to know whether EDGAR had previously worked with not-for-profit housing providers, and if it was a viable target to meet the 20% request for non-market housing. EDGAR representatives responded by saying that it was a lot to ask a private developer to support that, but that the talks would be taking place.

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