regina non-profit revamps plan to turn downtown parking lot into affordable housing
"it's been a challenge to downsize, but i think this is something that really suits our downtown," said namerind housing ceo robert byers.
3 minute read
an architectural rendering of a proposed four-building residential complex at 1840 lorne street, submitted by namerind housing corporation. (city of regina
(city of regina)
a reimagined affordable housing project in the heart of downtown regina is finally moving forward after a 10-year delay.
namerind housing corp., a regina non-profit, has filed a discretionary-use proposal with the city of regina, seeking approval to redevelop 1840 lorne street, which is currently a street-level parking lot.
a rendering attached to the proposal shows a set of four three-storey, “stacked townhouse”-style buildings, with a combined 48 dwelling units.
“to be so close to this development getting started is exciting for us. it’s kind of the next level for us,” said namerind ceo robert byers in a recent interview.
“it’s an investment in our community and we always say that we really try and do things that make our community better.”
‘things have changed in our downtown’
the design is starkly different from namerind’s last set of plans for the lot, unveiled back in 2015.
originally called namerind place, the initial proposal was for a $110-million, two-tower apartment complex with 170 units, a parking garage, daycare, grocery store and office space.
then-mayor michael fougere celebrated the project in 2015 as a “unique” helping hand to revive regina’s downtown in alignment with city priorities to increase residential presence in the core.
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the complex was initially planned to open by 2020, but has been on pause since 2019. while waiting to move ahead with the build, namerind entered into a temporary agreement with the city to use the property for surface parking, which has been in place since 2015.
the agreement has been extended twice, in 2020 and 2023, but expired as of jan. 1, 2025.
namerind president and ceo robert byers beside design renderings for their planned mix-use head office building that is to be built in downtown regina. photo taken in regina on nov. 3, 2015.
don healy
/
regina leader-post
the delays were in part due to ongoing negotiations for funding from the canadian housing and mortgage corporation (cmhc) and indigenous and northern housing solutions, said byers.
he cited costs of construction as the primary reason for the change, alongside a shift in the commercial real estate market in the city centre over the last several years.
“things have changed in our downtown. an investment in commercial space, at this time, just doesn’t look like a good investment,” byers said.
need for affordable housing
having residential units instead of storefronts on the main floor facing 11th avenue is a zoning change, which is what has prompted the need for the new approval.
byers confirmed the plan is still to offer the units as affordable housing, once built, as namerind’s focus as a non-profit is on providing below-market housing for indigenous residents.
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“we need housing. we need people and housing really brings life to the downtown, adds to the culture of downtown and this really is an ideal spot,” said byers.
designed by david t fortin architect, an ontario firm that also designed horse dance lodge for silver sage housing in regina, the new concept features one-, two- and three-bedroom units.
byers said the plan is to begin construction as soon as possible, possibly by the end of the year.
namerind has partnered with big block construction on the project and invested approximately $8 million into it already. he said cmhc has since committed funds to the project, but could not say how much at this time.
if completed, it will be the first ground-up development by the non-profit since its inception in 1977.
the new development application is open for public response on the city’s website until feb. 28, after which it will be considered by a development officer or city council for approval.
— with files from kerry benjoe
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