A women’s shelter will be built in the Quarters district

The City of Edmonton is one step closer to building 19 transitional housing units for women.

On Wednesday, Edmonton City Council’s executive committee agreed to sell land to the Edmonton City Center Church Cooperative (E4C) for $1,000 in the Quarters neighborhood near downtown.

“They have proven to be a great neighbor and their new building will continue to serve the people of Edmonton, but they will be hiring administrative staff which will bring a lot of activity and vibrancy to the area,” Ward O-Day’min Coun. – said Anne Stevenson at the town hall.

The land next to Kinistinaw Park is worth about $3 million. It also contains the residence of Joseph Reed, which is listed on the Edmonton Historic Resources Inventory.

The 1912 building has no official designation and is not protected.

E4C plans to demolish the building to make way for a new shelter and affordable housing. The project would also become the new headquarters of the organization, where 100 employees will work.

“We understand that you want to be part of the community and you want to keep eyes on the park,” said Barbara Spencer, CEO of E4C. “We want the community and the seniors who stay at the Chinese Senior Lodge to feel really comfortable leaving their home.”

The project is also expected to encourage more development in the Quarters District, where the city has spent about $100 million on infrastructure such as a nearby park and an LRT stop.

At the beginning of next year, E4C will decide whether to continue construction.