Mike Youds Special to the Chronicle
An old eyesore at the corner of Belaire and Dogwood Drive will probably be levelled to make way for a commercial development that includes some type of community gathering spot.
Fred Green, who purchased the prominent corner property through a court-ordered sale, said most of the feedback he has received since holding a meeting last fall favours a café, coffee shop or possibly a brewhouse pub, preferably with food service.
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The project group behind the proposed redevelopment, including Green and Angela Quek of AYPQ Architecture, holds a second public meeting on the proposed redevelopment on Wednesday, May 22, 6 p.m. at the Eagles Hall. They will share feedback and discuss the project’s purpose, siting and building configuration.
“All of those affect the broader community and various people to different degrees,” Green said
Insisting he is not a developer — this is his first property development — Green wants to see a property use that responds to community interests. He favours a brew pub, something lacking in the area. With further input from the meeting, they plan to submit a development application.
“This is a community decision,” he said.
He said the police station, a 48-year-old cinder-block building that once housed Ladysmith’s jail, is most likely not worth saving. Since the RCMP relocated 15 years ago, the building has stood empty and subject to vandalism.
Construction may begin as early as this fall, although the development permit application process typically takes six to eight months, he noted.
Mayor Aaron Stone said he appreciates the “front-end” consultation Green has done so far.
“We’ll have to wait and see what comes forward to council,” Stone said.
