A proposal to transform the former Traveller’s Inn on Gorge Road into supportive housing for First Nations will soon go to the public for input.
The City of Victoria bought the 68-unit motel at 120 Gorge Rd. East almost five years ago. It and another Traveller’s Inn were purchased by the City of Victoria for $5.8 million.
“I’m thrilled to see that housing for aboriginal families,” said Mayor Lisa Helps. “But I hope that in the future, when the city purchases properties, we have a better business plan for so doing.”
While grants covered costs of the purchase, Helps said, the same cannot be said of associated costs, such as staff time in complex negotiations involving multiple parties or maintenance, she said.
“For better or for worse — and I won’t comment on which — the city bought those Traveller’s Inns,” she said.
“It is good to see this one, the second building, finally coming to fruition. It will provide much-needed housing for aboriginal people.”
The proposal for 120 Gorge Rd. East is to replace the existing motel with a three-storey building consisting of 15 apartment units (four three-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit) on the west or Balfour Road side of the property.
A separate one-storey community building fronting on Gorge Road East is to be built between the new building and the already refurbished 26-unit housing building on the east or Albany Street side of the property.
The proposal also includes a proposed reduction in the number of parking stalls to 12 from the required 53.
Victoria councillors have authorized issuance of a development permit to allow the second phase of supportive housing on the site, along with a separate community building, pending public comments.
Known as Siem Lelum House, 120 Gorge will be operated by the Victoria First Nations Friendship Centre, which is negotiating to buy the building from the city.
The other Traveller’s Inn purchased by the city is now the 36-unit Queens Manor, run by the Victoria Cool Aid Society at 710 Queens Ave., with ownership transferred to B.C. Housing.
