Edmonton city council has passed a rezoning that could see new development near the site of Pacific Mall in the city’s Chinatown. 

The decision to move to mid-rise and high-rise mixed use was made during a public hearing on Monday which saw no opposition. 

The proposed mixed use zone would apply to the east side of the site which fronts 97th Street, and would allow for high-rise mixed use development with a maximum height of 60 metres or around 18 storeys.

The rezoning application was submitted by consultant group Situate on behalf of real estate investment company Yorkton Equity Group Inc.

Yorkton CEO Ben Lui told CBC News the rezoning application was made because of a high demand for housing in the city.

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“We feel that the area has very high potential, is right adjacent to downtown, which is the financial core,” he said, noting that the location does come with its share of challenges such as social disorder, homelessness and crime.

Lui said the project represents the company’s environmental, social and governance commitments to the community.

“We look at this project as not only investing in real estate, but also investing in people, investing in community, and the future of Chinatown and downtown,” he said.

Lui adds the project will likely have two phases, featuring underground and above-ground parking, a commercial main floor, and up to 160 affordable housing units. 

“We believe a vibrant neighbourhood needs people living there, shopping locally, and contributing to the community every day,” he said. 

The need for housing 

Jordon Hon with Chinatown Re:VITA said the need for affordable housing in Chinatown is why his organization is starting an initiative called Home in Chinatown. The campaign will gauge what the community has and needs. 

“Housing and people living in places is probably the most crucial and something that’s often the gap when it comes to revitalizing or bringing vibrancy or bringing culture back into areas of our city,” he told CBC News. 

Hon said Pacific Mall has been underutilized for many years and the prospect of more affordable housing in the area is exciting. 

“We’ve lost a lot of businesses in Chinatown, especially since the pandemic, over the past six or so years, and so creating more spaces, especially for new people to be interested in setting up shop in Chinatown. I think is great overall.”