Fernie’s old fire hall will soon turn into rubble as the City makes way for a new housing project at the heart of downtown.
The Elk Valley Family Society and New Commons Development are building a 44-unit rental building at 692 3rd Ave. The project will feature a range of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units – at least a third of which will be offered at below-market rent to address a critical need for affordable housing in Fernie.
Drivers and residents should expect the following disruptions during the construction period:
- 3rd Ave between 6th and 7th St. will be one-way for the duration of the project
- Partial closures on 7th St. with limited on-street parking
- Restricted alley access between 2nd and 3rd Ave, as well as 6th and 7th St.
- Occasional full closures of 3rd Ave and 7th St. for crane work
- Short-term water or traffic disruptions
- Contractors will use the City lot at 902 2nd Ave for parking, material storage, and preparation.
Fencing up at the old fire hall site. | Source: City of Fernie | Facebook
“The City of Fernie is supporting this project with a long-term lease of this City-owned land, use of 902 2nd Ave. during construction, a permissive tax exemption, access to affordable housing reserve funds, and priority processing of the required permits,” wrote the City. “We’re excited to see the project come to life and thank residents for their patience during construction.”
Work is set to wrap up in fall 2027.
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