A rezoning application for a plan to build a student housing complex downtown was advanced to final reading on Monday night.
To be located at 1404 Patricia Blvd., next to the Marriott Courtyard and across from the Prince George Public Library, it will consist of about 200 "micro-units" of purpose-built rental housing with an onsite operator and under a zone drafted specifically for the site.
"It's a proven concept," architect Tim McLennan of Kelowna-based Faction Projects Inc. told city council during a brief public hearing on matter. "We have 565 units that we have developed so far in B.C. - high demand, all self contained."
There are two bus stops nearby, "but we're discussing with staff creation of an express line that goes to both CNC and UNBC," McLennan said.
The project drew accolades from councillors.
Coun. Cori Ramsay, a UNBC graduate, said off-campus student housing has been "talked about and dreamed about for a very long time," and Coun. Kyle Sampson predicted those who choose to live there will breath some more life into the downtown core.
Mayor Lyn Hall said student housing is one of the "major bricks" to develop the downtown as is the Park House condominium project.
"It's a real gem," he added.
