Planning for the Village of Harrison Hot Springs' Civic Lands.
THE CHALLENGE
The Village of Harrison Hot Springs civic lands consist of a 4-acre site that is located within a five minute walk to the waterfront. The under-utilized site holds tremendous opportunity to better address current and future community needs. In addition to understanding the site’s potential, Village staff were seeking guidance around implementation to answer the question: how can different development scenarios unlock opportunities for financing, grants and/or partnerships? Incorporation of community input into the visioning process was a priority for Mayor and Council, with the aim of ensuring that the vision would be well supported and reflective of the community’s hopes and needs.
THE RESPONSE
MODUS delivered a community engagement and design charrette process for the Village. We first undertook site analysis to understand the site’s context (opportunities, strengths and challenges); and then, met with the community to hear about needs and aspirations for the site. Through a multi-day design charrette, we explored how to land these hopes on the site, together with staff and the community. Three concept plans emerged, exploring different development scenarios and implementation strategies to support community needs. The first concept demonstrates how the site can evolve over time through stand-alone development parcels and leverage financing opportunities. The second concept identifies a development form that is suited to the BC Builds partnership funding model, with an emphasis on affordable housing. The third concept demonstrates how the site could support seniors 'continuum of care’ in collaboration with an operational partner. Every concept shows creative ways to achieve the community’s hopes for the site, including: housing diversity and opportunities to age in place; enhanced open spaces and recreational uses; commercial spaces for neighbourhood services and medical offices; and new Village offices and Council chambers.
Client
Village of Harrison Hot Springs
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