Image: Anthony Corea / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

ACCESS HUB PROPOSAL

Mixed-use project to follow 20-month North Shore access hub lease: developer

Nov 12, 2024 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Subject to city council’s approval of a temporary use permit, the former Butler Auto and RV lot along the Tranquille Road corridor could eventually be the site of an access hub facility for the city’s unhoused residents. But it wouldn’t be a permanent location, as the owner of the property wants to have the site redeveloped for new apartments and business space.

ARPA Investments is planning to temporarily lease the recently purchased Butler Auto and RV lot at 142 Tranquille Road for the access hub. In recent years, the development company has been involved in building several new apartments on the city’s North Shore.

That is part of why ARPA partner Joshua Knaak wants to make sure the shelter facility is run in a way that isn’t detrimental to businesses and homes in the area.

“As is true with anybody in this area, we have quite a bit to lose if it’s not a success,” said Knaak.

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“What was appealing to us with this is it’s a different kind of initiative that has health professionals right on site, mental health and addictions counselling, all right there. That’s why it’s called an access hub,” he explains. “That was of interest to us to be supportive of it because honestly if it was just another of the same, I don’t know if that was something we’d want to be associated with.”

Knaak says the company chose the 20-month lease proposal as that’s how long it will take ARPA to get its development plans ready. And once the 20-month lease is up, ARPA intends to build a mixed-use building on the lot.

“Commercial on the main floor and residential above. But then in the back (lot), we want to come up with something creative that sort of fits with the area,” he adds.

Residents who want more details about potential shelter operations at 142 Tranquille Road can attend a public engagement session hosted by the access hub leadership group and BC Housing on November 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the McArthur Island Sports and Events Centre.